TOWN criers will be bellowing the delights of Britain's biggest, brashest resort this Saturday (July 17) in a bid to win a top international prize.

Entrants from around the world - including Judy Campbell from Australia and Emily Bell from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania - will be competing in the third annual Blackpool Town Criers' Championship.

Hosted by Birmingham town crier Barry McQueen, the 22 competitors will be led around the town centre by Blackpool-born TV bear Sooty, who was made an honorary mayor on his 50th birthday last year.

The cavalcade of criers, accompanied by the Red Rose Jazz Band, will set off from the Town Hall at 10.30am, ready to start the heats outside the Rose and Crown in Birley Street at 11am.

Sooty will celebrate his 51st birthday with a children's party in Birley Street from 12.15-2pm, followed by the criers' finals. In the evening they will all be treated to a civic banquet sponsored by the Warehouse Bistro.

Organised by Blackpool Town Centre Forum, the event is aimed at attracting visitors and residents to the shopping centre - and Sooty's appearance is part of the tourism department's 1999 Kidz Megafest.

Manager Nigel Hanson said: "This is an extremely colourful day and promotion of it and Blackpool as its venue spreads all over the country through the publicity the competitors generate."

Barry McQueen said: "The championship is now established as an important event in the Loyal Company of Town Criers' calendar and all of us look forward to being in Blackpool."

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