THE sound of handbells and loud voices will ring out this weekend as 70 town criers descend on Tavistock for the European Town Criers' Championships.
Yesterday, contestants began to flood in and were soon put to work selling draw tickets by Tavistock's own town crier, Bob Rose.
'Everything is OK and on schedule,' said Bob. 'The only thing I need now are two receptionists to help direct the visitors to various places.'
Bob said he had arranged for an interpreter to be on hand for a Polish town crier due to arrive.
Saturday is competition day and crying will start at 10am in the Meadows and Bank Square.
Six judges will pick the winner from a final line-up at 4.30pm in Bank Square prior to the Carnival Parade.
The Tavistock 2000 European Town Criers' Championships souvenir programme is on sale, price £2. All proceeds from the event will go to charity.
Before the serious business begins, the visiting criers are due some light relief and will call in at Morwellham Quay Visitor Centre tomorrow.
They will go to all parts of the historic port dressed in their colourful costumes demonstrating their ancient craft for the benefit of the centre's visitors.