RESIDENTS are to help pick their future town crier in a public contest.

Chester-le-Street District Council and the town's traders' association have been looking for someone with a 'thunderous, yet articulate voice,' to spread news of events in the town.

After whittling down the candidates to the final seven, the competition organisers are now throwing the finalists in at the deep end.

This Friday the candidates will go before a crowd of residents in the high street and read a proclamation. The reaction of the crowd will help pick the area's first town crier in living memory.

Christine Davies, commercial manager for Chester-le-Street and Sacriston, said she needed as many people as possible to gather outside the Holiday Centre in Front Street at midday on Friday to create a human 'clapometer.'

She said: "I'm really hoping that it will be a fun experience for both applicants and the public, after all, the people who have applied for this post all seem to be extroverts and most definitely not shy bairns."

The winner will be equipped with about £2,000 worth of uniform, bell and scroll and will be expected to give about 16 performances a year, notifying the public of events.