AN X Factor style ‘shout off’ is one possibility being considered as four candidates vie for the vacancy of town crier of March.

The unexpected surge in applicants surprised March town councillors who met last night and were introduced to the subtleties of the role by one of the country’s leading experts.

Peter Taunton and his wife Maureen travelled from Shropshire to be at the meeting and to present a bell to the mayor, Councillor Bernard Keane.

The Tauntons represent the Loyal Company of Town Criers and explained to town councillors what their duties comprise.

Mr Taunton has been a town crier for 13 years and both he and his wife have won a variety of awards including best dressed town crier and escort at the world town crier championships in Australia.

Town clerk Clive Lemmon said councillors were both surprised and delighted that four people had applied for the voluntary post. A group of councillors will now meet to consider how best to select a town crier.

March Festival committee member Reg Kemp who has campaigned for a town crier for March believes the post “can add colour and atmosphere to a town and do a practical job of promoting civic and community events, band concerts and the like.”

Fenland councillor David Connor has offered March Town Council the cost of buying the robes needed for the town crier.