TROWBRIDGE Town Crier Trevor Heeks has been celebrating this week after being awarded the title of Herald of Leer.

It was during the annual visit earlier this month that the 72-year-old was bestowed with the honour meaning the town looks on him as if Mr Heeks was one of their own after opening up their traditional annual market Gallimarkt for the last 27 years.

“Apparently only three people over here knew that I was getting the title but I didn’t know anything,” he said.

“When I arrived in the morning at the tea drinking ceremony with the mayor, the girl that tells you what is happening told me that my seat is reserved by here. Usually I float about and take photos and I had to go and sit there.

“Then they did some twinning stuff and then they said now we come to Trevor. She read a lovely bit about my and then they presented me with the certificate.”

The county town first became twinned with Leer in 1989 and since then, Mr Heeks has made 29 visits to the German market town as three mayors have held the role.

The Gallimarkt begun back in 1508 and it has become a tradition to hold a free market day every year including a meal with dignitaries and visitors including Mr Heeks who said the whole trip was definitely one he will always cherish.

He added: “Leer is just brilliant and this year, like every year, we sit down to the same meal which is exactly what they would have eaten 508 years ago. We then went off around the town and the number of people wanted selfies was a lot now it is the new thing.

“What I love about it is that with the Gallimarkt, you could stand on any corner with your eyes closed and all the smells of the food with the sounds people laughing you can tell everyone is happy.

“It is so lovely to see the people that I’ve met along the way over the years and obviously one or two are missing on both sides but it was a wonderful trip.”