IT was a far cry from the early days for Reg Chapman when he scooped an award for the quality of his attire.
The Cleobury Mortimer town crier was judged the best dressed in an international contest held near Bristol featuring 15 other criers from as far away as Canada and the USA. Reg and Gillian Chapman.
Mr Chapman's 18th century Georgian-style attire saw off all comers despite the fact it was eight months before his £1,300 outfit was delivered when he was chosen as Cleobury's first town crier for 90 years. He was appointed in 1998.
The Best Dressed Town Crier and Escort honour was marked with a trophy given to Mr Chapman and his wife Gillian. The couple also led last weekend's Shrewsbury Carnival.
"We're very proud of the fact that our clothes are authentic Georgian outfits," Mr Chapman said. He is planning to set up a town criers museum in Cleobury's market hall.
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