A HORNBLOWER is being sought by a city council, to help maintain a tradition that dates back more than a thousand years.

Since 886AD a horn has been sounded four times in Ripon market place every night at 9pm to "sound the watch".

Ripon City Council has placed a job advert for a new hornblower, to blast their horn four times and then "provide a brief history of the horn blowing ceremony for the public in attendance".

It requires up to three hours work a week and will pay £8.72 an hour.

The tradition is said to have begun when Alfred the Great visited the city and gave them a horn as a symbol of it being granted a Royal Charter.

It was then used by the nigh watchman of the city, The Wakeman, to notify the residents that they were on duty and keeping watch.

Wayne Cobbett, 30, a current hornblower, said: "I personally feel very proud to be involved in such an ancient tradition.

"I've been hornblowing for four years alongside my colleagues and have enjoyed every moment.

"I've met people from every almost everywhere imaginable, been involved with some amazing events in Ripon and all whilst keeping a unique British tradition alive."