TOWN crier Kevin Ward bellowed the brilliance of Bromsgrove and came 16th in the world championships in Newquay, Cornwall.

Kevin cried three times during the competition and for his first cry he encouraged visitors to come to Bromsgrove, with a shout about the Court Leet fair day and the Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings.

"It was a magnificent week. The camaraderie between competitors was stunningly good, so it didn't matter who won or lost," said Kevin, who is a theatre nurse at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch.

For his third cry Kevin, of Broad Street, Sidemoor, impressed judges with an ironic speech about noise being the curse of the 21st century. Out of 94 competitors from all over world Kevin was delighted to come 16th in last weeks event.

"A lot of the criers go from competition to competition but I'm unable to do that with my job, so I was even more pleased with my position," said Kevin, who was accompanied to the championship by his wife Julie.

Kevin said: "The hoteliers of Newquay showed us great hospitality and put on various evening events.

"And I feel proud that I promoted Bromsgrove," added Kevin.