CIVIC events in Kidderminster are unlikely to pass quietly now Clive Webster has been chosen as the new town crier.

He was selected after winning a proclamation contest held in the courtyard at Kidderminster Town Hall to determine who had the best voice for the job.

Mr Webster said: "I'm a great believer in tradition, public duties and the community and had to go for it.

He added he would enjoy wearing his very big town crier uniform - Mr Webster weighs in at more than 18 stone and is 6ft 1in tall.

This month he was the parade marshall for Hartlebury's Remembrance Day procession.

The 44-year-old added: "My next civic engagement is the mayor's ball in March and I will also have a big part to play in the next Remembrance Day parade."

Mr Webster attributes his vocal talents to a 15-year career in the Grenadier Guards that took him to work in London, Northern Ireland, Germany, Hong Kong and Australia.

As a current school cadets' sergeant major at King Charles I High School, Mr Webster gets plenty of practice exercising his lusty lungs.

He left Harry Cheshire High School in Kidderminster in 1971 and now lives in Stourport with his wife and two children. He also has two children by a previous marriage.

He is an extremely busy man as he works full-time with the communications staff at Kidderminster Police.

Mr Webster said: "That is my full-time paid job and I have been in the position since 1987. It's an extremely satisfying job which again involves helping the public."

During his spare time he also works voluntarily as a special constable at the station.

He added: "I work alongside PC Tony Quinn who is the beat manager for Kidderminster West and we work in areas such as Foley Park, Habberley, Franche, Rifle Range and Birchen Coppice.

That work includes patrolling the grounds at Kidderminster General Hospital where special beat surgeries are expected to be implemented in the near future.

He said of his work with the police: "Apart from my services in the armed forces I have never worked with such a loyal, hard working and dedicated bunch of people.

"They are the most professional and committed people and they make it all worthwhile."

Mr Webster said he does not have much time for any hobbies because he has so many other duties and he is grateful to his family for being so understanding towards his work.