OYEZ, OYEZ! Do you have what it takes to be the new town crier of Callington?

Community spirited individuals are being sought to fill the role which has been a tradition in the town for decades.

Callington has been without a town crier since the death of Dennis Cook in April. For 14 years he was committed to the role, attending every civic and community event, dressed in full regalia and commanding the attention of the public with his distinctive voice and flamboyant style.

Now Callington Town Council wants someone to fill those shoes and interested parties are being asked to contact the town hall on 01579 384039.

Town councillor Jeremy Gist said he had seen photos of Callington town criers in the 1950s and he expected the tradition went back to pre-war.

'Let's put it this way, I have been sitting at my desk for 40 years and there has always been a town crier in Callington during that time. It is something I and the town council would very much like to continue.'

In Medieval England town criers were the chief means of news communication with the townspeople since many were illiterate in a period before moveable type was invented.

Royal proclamations, local bylaws, market days, adverts even selling loaves of sugar, were all proclaimed by a bellman or crier throughout the centuries.

Many local councils in England and Wales reinstated the post of town crier from the mid-1990s onwards purely for ceremonial purposes and many are honorary appointments like the post in Callington.

Town criers, elaborately dressed, by tradition dating back to the 18th Century, in a red and gold robe, white breeches, black boots and a tricorn hat, carry a handbell to attract people's attention as they shout the words 'Oyez, Oyez, Oyez!' before making their announcements.

The word 'Oyez' means 'hear ye' which is a call for silence and attention and it derives from the Anglo-Norman word for 'listen'.

Tavistock Town crier David Turner said he had really enjoyed his time in the role with almost every experience being most positive and rewarding.

He said he was often mistaken for a pirate, usually by younger members of the public, and would play along, hence good interpersonal skills were most useful.

'A good strong voice is needed to be a town crier, but not shouty, as clarity of diction/pronunciation is equally important,' he said.

'A good level of interest in the local community and a confident approach to being in the public eye are also contributing factors to being a good town crier.'