YOKAHAMA had the World Cup Final on Sunday, but there was probably more noise in Newton Abbot last weekend as the town hosted Europe's lustiest voices in the European Town Criers' Competition.

Some 50 town criers and their escorts arrived at their hotel in Torquay during Thursday afternoon, the prelude to three days of exuberant enjoyment – and, of course, stiff competition.

It appears to be very much a north European or even Anglo-Saxon tradition, as the majority of town criers came from England, the Netherlands and Belgium – with just a few representatives from Celtic Wales and Cornwall.

There was also a brave Pole, Wladyslaw Grzyb, of Lubli, who spent Wednesday night among kindred spirits at the Polish centre at Ilford Park, near Newton Abbot.

Besides a fine voice, a taste for colourful uniforms is obviously an essential for any self-respecting town crier, along with a passion for beer and, among many of the men, the sporting of luxuriant beards and moustaches.

While there was a great deal of freedom of choice, many of the English favoured uniforms that were variations on 18th-century styles. Often they draped themselves with bands carrying name badges from previous events, anywhere from Whitchurch Conicorum to Oromocto in Ontario.

However, some of the Dutch and Belgians – Willy van de Putte, the belleman stad from Gent, for example – with their peaked caps and dark tunics looked more like 19th-century postmen out of a Van Gogh painting.

'I am very much enjoying my first visit to Newton Abbot,' said Mr Van de Putte, who had previously visited Chester and Bromyard in Herefordshire for town crier events.

Enjoyment and camaraderie were an essential part of the weekend for many others, such as Hans Van Laethem, of Ninove, in Belgium (location for the next European championships in 2004).

'I always enjoy my time in England, with all the fun and drink,' he said. 'It's the same whenever town criers get together, and it's the main reason for coming. The competition is secondary.'

This giant of a man, who looked like a first cousin to Shakespeare's Sir John Falstaff, went on to win the event on Sunday.

Gordon Pring, board member of the organisers, the Ancient & Honourable Guild of Town Criers, echoed the Belgian's opinion.

'We come to meet our friends and don't mind if we win or lose,' he said.

Almost-luxuriant facial hair was another feature of many of the men.

'Women could hide their children in my moustache, which I feed with fine ale,' said Phil Seddon, town crier of Warminster. 'But when I'm out of uniform I just have a serious nasal hair problem.'

Not all town criers follow his example, however, because a significant minority are women, like Eileen Dolling, of Chulmleigh, who is the Devon champion.

'Our voices are judged on clarity and diction, as well as volume,' she said. 'We are also marked for our bearing and dignity.'

The organisers, Newton Abbot town council and the Ancient & Honourable Guild, had a pretty shrewd idea of what would appeal to the criers on Friday, their rest day. They were treated to the delights of Tuckers Maltings in Newton Abbot, followed by an excursion in two 'heritage' buses to Widecombe for lunch at the Old Inn (where they were greeted by the Widecombe Wag Tony Beard) and to Powderham Castle for tea.

The semi-finals were held in Newton Abbot's Courtenay Park on Saturday and the finals in Market Walk on Sunday. The results were as follows. European Town Crier of the Year: 1st Hans Van Laethem (Ninove, Belgium); 2nd Alistair Chisholm (Dorchester); 3rd Trevor Heeks (Trowbridge).

Best-dressed crier: Rene Coupee (Almelo, Netherlands); best-dressed escort: Ann Bell (Cromer); best-dressed couple: Rene and Dorothea Coupee (Almolo, Netherlands).

Newton Abbot's town crier, Ken Purchase, said: 'It was an absolutely super weekend, and very successful for all concerned. All of our guests thought that Newton Abbot excelled itself in organisation and hospitality, and they could not praise us enough.'