A SUNNY spring weekend proved the perfect time for a popular festival in Bromyard.

The town’s Spring Festival, which included the Town Criers’ competition, proved a hit with locals and brought lots of new faces into the town.

Town criers from more than 15 towns across England visited Bromyard and competed in “shouts” held on the town green.

This year’s winner was Paul Gough, town crier for Nuneaton and Bedworth, while former Bromyard town crier Peter Dauncey, walked away with a well-earned second place.

Local crier and town councillor Peder Nielsen said: “It went absolutely phenomenally. Peter could never compete here before because he was always the host, so it’s great he did so well.”

Organiser Sylvia Silver, from the Falcon Mews, said: “It was a town event with an enormous number of town people involved. All the musicians on the Saturday and Sunday were local and they were all very good too.”

The weekend also featured May Pole dancing by the children from St Peter’s Primary School, craft stalls, and live music including Bromyard Wind Band and HotFeat, in the Falcon Mews.

Bromyard councillor Alan Seldon, a keen supporter of festivals in the town, said: “It was very successful and was nice to see the town criers’ festival back again.

“Everybody had a good time and I’m more than happy with the way things went.”