Mr. Bob Burns, the official Town Crier for 20 years, holds the world record for his shout.

He is named in the Guinness Book of Records as having the "loudest male voice in the world''.

Mr. Burns, who is semi-retiring from the post he made famous, will be on the committee to find a new Town Crier.

"Do you have a good, loud voice, and like to shout the news around?,'' said the Corporation of St. George's advertisement.

The "finalists'' for the part-time position (6-12 hours per week) will have to participate in a public "cry off'' competition, the ad says.

Mr. Burns is St. George's fourth Town Crier and took up the post in 1974. He did more than announce events -- by the ring of a bell -- on St. George's Day and take part in ceremonies in the Old Town like the Peppercorn Ceremony.

Mr. Burns often travelled abroad to represent Bermuda.

Most recently, he took part in the opening of a permanent Guinness Book of Records exhibition in the US gambling capital of Las Vegas.

And he flew to the English seaport of Lyme Regis, the home of Sea Venture commander Sir George Somers, where he issued a proclamation to commemorate the arrival in Bermuda in 1609 of the ship.

Mr. Burns was awarded a plaque honouring his contributions to St. George's and town crying by the Guild of Town Criers.

Town Mayor the Wor. Henry Hayward said the Town Crier, whose salary is paid by Government grant and the Corporation, was an important part of Town life and may take on a larger role with the arrival of the St. George's ship in May.

"I have already had several people ask about the position and one or two seem interested,'' he said.

Mr. Hayward noted many people came to St. George's just to see Mr. Burns, always dressed in period costume, in action.