History of Robber's Grave helps Shrewsbury's Wood scoop crier competition

Montgomery's town crier Sue Blower, who is one of the few female town criers in the UK, organised the competition – which was won by Shrewsbury's Martin Wood.

Nine criers from across the country took part, travelling from as far afield as Frome, Litchfield and Royal Wootton Bassett.

Mrs Blower did not take part, and instead acted as master of ceremonies, but is set to represent Wales in the World Town Crier event in Chester.

But it was Mr Woods who impressed judges with a poem about the history of the Robber's Grave in Montgomery.

Robber's Grave was created in 1821 as John Davies, of Wrexham, was sentenced to death by hanging at Montgomery for highway robbery. Throughout his trial and after the sentence, Davies declared his innocence and prayed that God would not allow the grass to grow on his grave for 100 years as a sign of his innocence.

His grave was said to have remained bare for at least a century, but is now grassed over.

Mr Woods said: "From my perspective it was absolutely brilliant, because I won. We always enjoy competition days, but the icing on the cake is at the end of the day when you win or get placed. As well we bring our wives or partners and they get dressed up in period costume to link in with what the criers are wearing. All in all it was a wonderful day. I was really pleased to compete and win, especially as an Englishman in Wales."

Mr Woods said about 200 people watched the competition throughout the day on Saturday.

"They all enjoyed themselves and laughed when they were supposed to laugh and groaned when they were supposed to groan and clapped and cheered when we had all finished," he said.

"When I did my first cry, my voice is quite loud, but I could hear it bouncing back off the hills.

"A couple of lads came up to me afterwards and said it made the hairs on the back of their neck stand up.

"I'm looking forward to go back next year and defending my title."