AFTER performing a city's ancient and curious tradition several thousand times, George Pickles has hung up his hat and horn.

At the age of 77, the retired machine tool engineer has decided to step down as the Hornblower of Ripon, having Set The Watch daily, often before crowds of tourists, on the Market Square for the last 12 years.

The ceremony involves blowing an Ox-type animal horn at each corner of the square's grade I listed obelisk, which was built by John Aislabie, ahead of him becoming Chancellor of the Exchequer and imprisoned in the Tower of London over the South Sea Bubble.

Setting off from the obelisk, the hornblower then seeks out the Mayor of Ripon - whether he or she is at home or at a function - to blow three more times to signal the watch has been set.

If the mayor is outside the city, the ritual is completed on the Town Hall steps, as if he was in residence.

Some historians contend the ceremony dates to 886, when Alfred the Great granted the city a Royal Charter and as he did not have a scroll prepared, gave the city a horn.

Others argue it is not credible that Ripon was sufficiently corporate to employ a hornblower before 1215.

Mr Pickles, who stepped forward for the post after learning the tradition may die, has performed the ceremony whatever the weather, and has even defied crowds of youths targeting him while performing the ceremony dressed in the hornblower's fawn frock coat and tricorn hat uniform.

Alongside his daily duty, he has acted as an ambassador for the city, speaking to groups across the North of England.

In 2009, he received the Jewel of Ripon Award for services to the community and last year joined actor Sir Patrick Stewart, author Barbara Taylor Bradford and cricketer Michael Vaughan in being granted Yorkshire Patron status, in recognition of his continued services to tourism.

Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Mick Stanley, said: “George, just like all of the previous hornblowers is unique and cannot be replaced, but the role of hornblower will continue until the council decides on another.

"My thanks to George for his dedication and the exemplary manner in which he has carried out his duties.”

He added deputy hornblowers Wayne Cobbett and Paul Schofield and Sergeant at Mace Jim Vauvert, would perform the role until a new hornblower was appointed.