A WELL-KNOWN primary school teacher has been appointed as Town Crier for Crediton.

Kevin Payne (36), a teacher at Landscore Primary School, in the town, said he was “proud” to take up the position, adding that he was following a family tradition.

He explained that his father, Martin, was a town crier in Suffolk and had passed on some valuable advice about the role.

Crediton Town Council advertised the position earlier this year and Kevin was interviewed in front of councillors and members of the public on the day a Junior Town Crier competition was held in the Town Square on July 11.

Crediton Town Clerk, Mrs Clare Dalley, said that the councillors were impressed by Kevin’s ability and his personally-written “cry”, which included words encouraging people to shop locally in Crediton High Street shops.

The post is on an annual basis and Kevin has been provided with a costume and bell.

His job description said he should be clean, smart, sober, polite and jovial and above all must be able to project his voice.

Duties will include attending civic and other events, making announcements as required.

Events he will appear at are set to include the Christmas in Crediton Lights Switch On ceremony on Friday, November 27 and events such as the Crediton Festival and other important town events.

Kevin said: “I am really pleased and proud to be appointed and look forward to serving the town in this way.

“I am a quiet person on the whole but my father, who is a town crier in Suffolk, has given me some lessons in projecting my voice, which has been really useful.

“I am just honoured to be selected for the position which has historical and heritage connections and it is good to be part of that.”

Cllr Frank Letch, the Mayor of Crediton, said he was “delighted” with Kevin’s appointment.

He added: “The council is very pleased that someone as able as Kevin has come forward to take up the position.

“He comes with a tradition, in that his father is already a town crier.

“Kevin will be announcing coming events in the town with gusto in the near future and people should listen out for him!”

Cllr Letch said he saw the appointment as a “feather-in-the-cap” for the town, providing a little bit “of show”, explaining that the town was moving forward but with an historical significance as at one time every town had a town crier to announce important news.