Source: Dereham Times

Shoppers were left scratching their heads today when a town crier from the other side of the country visited Dereham (Norfolk) to walk up and down the town yelling messages.

The crier, dressed in traditional medieval garb, was seen walking around the High Street and Market Place on Friday.

Peder Nielsen is the official town crier for Bromyard in Herefordshire - but says as well as his ceremonial duties at home he enjoys visiting other towns across the country.

In this case he was adverting Holland and Barrett's recent merger with Julian Graves.

Mr Nielsen, 65, said: “The town crier always advertises something around his own town - news, competitions and other services - and it's a tradition it's important to keep alive.

“There are only about 130 town criers in the country which isn't very many.”