LOUD-MOUTHED candidates prepared to shout about their town are needed by a council.

Chester-le-Street District Council is organising a competition to find the candidate with the biggest bellow to act as the district's town crier.

Historically the job of town crier can be traced back as far as 1066, when news of Britain's invasion by King William of Normandy was passed from town to town by people employed to spread the news.

Now Chester-le-Street District Council is planing to hire it's first town crier in living memory to give about 16 performances a year notifying the public of events.

Commercial manager for Chester-le-Street and Sacriston Christine Davies said: "It's not just about having a loud voice. There has to be a lot more to them. It's a business opportunity. They will be self-employed and can hire themselves out to weddings, or as chief of ceremonies."

Once hired the crier, who can be male or female, will be fitted out with clothes, bell and scroll costing an estimated £2,000. The cost will be met by the Traders Association.

For further information contact Christine Davies on (0191) 387 1348 before Thursday, October 10. Once candidates are selected from interviews, a date will be set for a public contest to find the winner.