Resort crying out for new crier

John Thomas in full flow in the 1980s at Tenby harbour

One of the longest-serving town criers in Wales is looking to hang up his bell and appealing for a replacement.

For 28 years John Thomas has travelled the world promoting the busy Pembrokeshire seaside resort of Tenby.

But as his 70th birthday approaches he says it is time for someone younger to fill the role.

He said it would suit someone with a love of travelling and socialising, a good sense of humour - and, naturally enough, a strong, clear voice.

But he said: "Loudness is not everything.

"It's clarity and diction that are important - you can be loud, but people can't understand what you are saying."

They came flying out, right across the road... the traffic stopped while they were recovered and there was one woman who doubled up laughing John Thomas on the time he lost his false teeth

The town crier's main role is to accompany the mayor on official functions and promote the town.

"It's not a lot of work and there is time to do functions and weddings - I've been asked to act as toastmaster on occasions.

"I've opened supermarkets: I've been asked to do a few of those because we are cheaper than film stars."

He has, however, achieved a small degree of celebrity status and is the only living person depicted on a giant mural in the indoor market charting the town's history.

He can be seen in his distinctive robes alongside famous figures associated with Tenby such as Elizabeth I, Augustus John and Nelson.

The job has not always gone to plan, though. One time he came a cropper on High Street having just had a new set of false teeth.

Mr Thomas is the only living person on Tenby's giant mural Enlarge Image

"They came flying out, right across the road. The traffic stopped while they were recovered and there was one woman who doubled up laughing," he said.

Mr Thomas served on the executive committee of the Guild of Town Criers for a while and has taken part in competitions across the world.

"What we do at the competitions is promote our towns - the biggest competition I went to was in Canada where there were 110 criers - it was very colourful.

"You've got to write your own cries. Some can be very funny."

On 12 April Tenby will welcome almost 30 town criers from across the UK for a competition.

Mr Thomas said it would be an ideal time for potential successors to find out what the role is about.

"I will dearly miss it - especially the fellowship because I have made so many good mates," he added.