Oyez, Oyez, Oyez.

Attleborough is set to get its own town crier after councillors unanimously backed a proposal to formally create the civic position.

Local man Melvyn Hurn took on the role at the Attleborough Christmas lights switch-on event at the weekend and the town's Diamond Jubilee celebrations earlier this year.

He will now perform the town crier position on future occasions to make public announcements after town councillors backed a motion by councillor Karen Pettitt at an Attleborough Town Council meeting on Monday night.

The town crier's uniform and bell will be donated and paid for by Ivan Fryett, of Morley Aviaries, who has also agreed to pay for the regalia's maintenance.

Mrs Pettitt said there were not many town criers left in Norfolk.

'We are very lucky to have been given the opportunity to have our own town crier. Mr Hurn has offered his services for the town and he will be most happy to be in attendance for any civic or town event. Some towns look for town criers to be in attendance at their events and in that case Mr Hurn would make a small charge to cover his travel expenses,' she said.

Mrs Pettitt added that the new town crier would put Attleborough events first and there would be no extra insurance costs for the town council.

One of the 2013 events Mr Hurn may attended in his town crier capacity could be the Attleborough Town Festival after councillors agreed for it to return next year.

Mrs Pettitt said the event was not held this year because of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. However town councillors agreed to form a working group to organise a festival in 2013.

Mrs Pettitt said the festival was likely to be held over a weekend in September, which would showcase the talents of local clubs and community groups in venues across the town, including the town hall, Connaught Hall and the church.