OYEZ, Oyez, York's town crier could soon be taking on the world.

John Redpath may be among about 40 town criers from 12 countries who are expected to battle it out in next year's World Town Crier Invitational Tournament.

Mr Redpath said he had not yet heard whether he will be invited, but if he is, he said he would take the chance to bellow it out with the best of them.

Despite having a tradition in this country that spans more than 1,000 years, the tournament in Chester next year will be the first ever to be held in the UK.

Mr Redpath said: "It's in Chester, so that's no problem, it's just down the road."

Invitations were being signed today by the Lord Mayor of Chester, Coun Reggie Jones, which should make the city one of the noisiest places around between June 16 and 22, 2001.