A tough break didn’t stop Petersfield’s town crier from winning an unexpected award at a competition in Devon.

Roles were reversed for Faye and Martin Thompson as a broken arm meant she couldn’t compete in the Dawlish Town Crier’s competition.

Martin’s role as deputy town crier meant he stepped in for his wife in the competition, which attracted some big voices from around the south west and further afield.

But Faye soon found herself in the spotlight as her “eco-shepherdess” outfit won her the top consort award on a memorable day in the picturesque fishing town.

She had no intention of competing or winning any silverware, but her gorgeous outfit blew the judges away.  

Faye said: “It was such a laugh – I might do this more often.”

Faye is hungry for more silverware as Martin’s sidekick as she plans to accompany her husband to his next competition in Rye. By Katie Harding