ANDOVER Town Crier Allan Travell proclaimed the merits of watercress this week before travelling up to Durham to take part in the Loyal Company of Town Criers' British Championships.

As well as his usual town cry for Andover, Stockbridge and Romsey he will be required to proclaim about a specialist local food. And having chosen watercress he paid a visit to Vitacress in St Mary Bourne to get himself in the mood.

He has written a 100-word cry on its folklore.