Oyez, oyez! Help me to help you. That's the call of Keighley Town Crier Mike Walton.

Mr Walton and nine other town criers from across the north of England will be promoting Keighley businesses during the St George's celebrations to raise money for the town mayor's charities.

The ten criers can each be sponsored for the afternoon on Saturday, April 24, as part of the fundraising event for Keighley's twin town Manzini and Keighley Carers.

Mr Walton wanted ten Keighley businesses to come forward to boost the total for the two charities. The first ten businesses will be allocated a separate town crier.

Mr Walton said: "We just need some information for the business. We will make a cry in rhyme because people will listen to that more. They will do the cries outside and it is as much publicity out of it as the businesses want." Businesses have to make a donation of at least £10 to be given a crier.

The town crier added: "The first bids in would guarantee that I would contact them and get all the relevant information and give it to a crier.

"Sometime between 1 and 2pm on April 24, we would come along and one of the criers would do a cry about that person's business in rhyme."

He added further publicity, such as photographs, could be arranged.

So far just one business - David Petyt Exclusive Menswear - has taken advantage of the promotion. Mr Petyt urged more businesses to secure a cry and help the cause.

He said: "It is something a bit different and for people who have followed my promotional adventures I always like to try something a bit different.

"Years ago we used to advertise on a roundabout and before that on the back of someone's van.

"What better advert can you have than someone walking round town hollering about your shop? I wish we could do this every Saturday.

"The town criers are brilliant and Mike Walton does a fantastic job for Keighley, so we think more businesses should be supporting them."

The town criers, who will be coming from places such as Grimsby, Skelmersdale and towns across West Yorkshire, are part of the St George's celebrations from April 23 to 25.

People interested in sponsoring one of the criers should contact Mr Walton on 01535 606538.