BARNOLDSWICK will be a lot quieter after the summer with the departure of town crier Kevin Griffiths.

Mr Griffiths became town crier for Barnoldswick in 1998 as one of the town council's millennium projects.

However, after five years he is having to resign from the post due to his wife, Val, being appointed as a schoolteacher in Cornwall.

He said: "I thought that I would only do it for a few months, just to see what it was like. But I have had an enormous amount of fun meeting all sorts of people and visiting places and doing things that I would not have been able to do if I were not a town crier

"The competitions have taken me to places that most people would not be able to go to, such as the inner sanctums of big city council chambers that are closed to the public.

"I have met Lord mayors and sat at banquets with them and they have asked me all about Barnoldswick. The Mayor of Anacortes in the USA wanted to know all about the Yorkshire/Lancashire divide."

Mr Griffiths, who also holds the title of honorary town crier for Skipton, has enjoyed success in the world town crier championships, finishing in fifth place this year, and won prizes in many other competitions throughout the UK.

He also brought his own town crier contest to Barnoldswick in 2001 and will hold another contest in the town next month before his move to Cornwall.

Never one to shirk a challenge, he also answered the call when the chairman of the Loyal Company of Town Criers challenged fellow members to perform a cry under the most unusual circumstances or conditions.

Mr Griffiths dreamed up the perfect scheme, setting off to Gaping Gill pothole where he was lowered 340 feet, changed into full regalia and performed his historic cry.

Coun Maureen Blackwell told the Herald: "He has really put Barnoldswick on the map. He's gone all around the country as a crier for us and he's done a very good job. He will be missed.

She added that the town council would welcome anyone interested in taking over the role.

Mr Griffiths added: "I have really enjoyed myself being the Barnoldswick town crier and have helped to put us on the international map.

"I have done the groundwork and laid the foundations. I now need someone to take over from me and carry on and finish the building."

Mr Griffiths and his family will move to Whitstone and he is now hoping to be appointed town crier of nearby Bude.