Crowds flocked to Liskeard for the 29th annual St Matthew's Fair, on Saturday. Colour and the sound of clanging bells was added by at least 12 visiting town criers and their ladies from all over Cornwall and Devon for a contest organised by the town's own crier, Frank Beer. Frank also attracted quite a gathering as he cried out the charter granted by Richard Earl of Cornwall in 1266, which allowed the town to have an annual fair, now organised by Liskeard Lions Club. Town mayor Sandra Preston and her consort, her husband Michael, presented prizes to the best charity stall – Liskeard Royal Naval Association – and Richard Lawson, of Callington, was judged to have the best trade stand. The mayoral party was escorted for the day by Lions' president Derek Gillbard and his wife Helen. Derek said: 'The weather was a bit inclement but everything went well with a lot of stalls and support from local people. 'It was a most enjoyable day.' There were about 40 stalls on The Parade and in the Cattle Market, where crowds also enjoyed the David Rowlands Fair, but one of the most popular attractions were the tractor and trailer rides. Queues formed for most of the day to have the experience of being driven all over the town on a trailer, enough to keep three tractor drivers busy.