WATCHET town crier Alec Danby has plenty to shout about after being given a new look by local well-wishers.

When retired doctors' receptionist Janet Barker moved back to the town recently after living in Exeter for six years, she noticed that Alec's distinctive green and gold trimmed uniform was looking decidedly shabby.

So she started a fundraising campaign to kit out the former regimental sergeant major with a new jacket, knickerbockers, ruffled shirt and tricorne hat.

And within a few months of the appeal being launched it reached its target of just under £1,700.

At a celebration at the town's Esplanade Club last week, Alec was able to show off his new costume and Janet even penned an ode to mark the occasion.

The money was raised through fundraising events and donations - in Janet's words: "Donations came from young and old, Clubs and pubs and low and behold, Everyone wanted to lend a hand, Even our own Watchet brass band, Associations and shops as well, And others that I cannot tell."

She told the Free Press: "We had the most fantastic support from local people - it was amazing and we're delighted that we have been able to give Alec a new uniform.

"I'd just like to say thank you to everyone who helped us."

Alec, who is 77, has been town crier for more than 20 years, after being taken on for a one-year trial.

A retired postman, he makes proclamations for a host of events and over the years has travelled to Belgium, Holland and Canada for town crier competitions.

His new outfit is likely to get a fair bit of wear: "I don't have any plans to retire and I'd like to be able to keep on giving something back to the town for quite a while yet," he said.