NEWS and information could be ringing out from more than one big voice in Wootton Bassett if town crier Owen Collier gets his way.

For the man with the big hat and hand bell is hoping his friends up and down the country, and those overseas, will find out why he has so much to shout about in his beloved town.

Owen has made an application to the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers to host the Town Crier Champion-ships in Wootton Bassett.

And he has so far received a provisional thumbs-up.

All that remains is for the council to review the proposals.

"We had the Wootton Bassett Town Criers Championship in 2006 and I thought why not try for something bigger and put in a bid to the Guild," Owen said.

"The Guild have members all over the world and if we managed to do it then town criers from all across the world would be competing.

"That would be brilliant for tourism and good publicity too.

"These people will be coming down as ambassadors for their countries and hopefully they will go back and say what a brilliant town we are.

"It will really put us on the map."

The criers will compete for titles such as Best Town Crier, Best Dressed Town Crier, Best Town Crier and Escort.

The success of the plan depends on the amount of local hospitality on offer.

Owen said: "I would be most grateful if businesses or individuals would be interested in sponsoring costs of town criers and their escorts or perhaps be willing to host a town crier and escort themselves if spare rooms were available, including supplying a cooked breakfast at no cost.

"Local groups and organisations can also consider these options."

Anyone who is interested in helping out can get in touch with Owen Collier by writing to Wootton Bassett Town Council, 117 High Street, Wootton Bassett SN4 7AU or by phoning the council on 01793 850222.