HE’S been shouting about all that’s great in Clitheroe for 30 years – and the town’s longest-serving town crier celebrates his milestone in the post next month.

Roland Hailwood, 69, became the Ribble Valley market town’s first town crier in 74 years when he first donned the ceremonial uniform in 1984.

Clitheroe had been without a town crier since Sam Chadwick stepped down in 1916 from a post that dates back to at least 1824 in the town.

Mr Hailwood, who was part of the organising committee for the Clitheroe Heritage Fairs, ‘put his hat in the ring’ for the post for the fair and his town crying duties soon became a local tradition.

He was interviewed by Clitheroe Town councillors before being officially adopted by the council as the ‘Honorary Town Crier of Clitheroe’.

Over the past 30 years, father-of-two and grandfather-of-five Mr Hailwood has appeared at events ranging from mayor makings, weddings, stroke awareness days and the annual Lancashire Automobile Club’s Run every May.

He has even town cried across the world, popping up on Australian TV, at the Cerebral Palsy World Cup in Brazil in 2007 and in Canada.

Mr Hailwood, who lives in Kirkmoor Road with wife Hazel, said: “This is my way of serving the community and I have enjoyed my time as town crier.

“I have no plans to retire at the moment and I’m very proud of how I’ve served the town of Clitheroe.

“I think my post shows the world that Clitheroe is interested in history and is a special place to visit.

“I’ve done my own research into the position and I’ve not found a town crier who has been in place for as long as me.

“It seems that there used to be a new town crier appointed every year.

“I’ve gone back to 1824 and I would like to know exactly how far back the post goes in Clitheroe.”

Clitheroe Town Council leader, Coun Mary Robinson, said: “Roland is one of the liveliest characters and is a first class guy.

“I love what he does and he is a tremendous asset to the community.”