HUDDERSFIELD’S Town Crier Vic Watson is determined to bring the national championships to the town.

But his plea for help in staging the British Championships in Yorkshire for the first time fell on deaf ears when he approached Kirklees Council.

Members told him they were sorry but given the amount of municipal cuts taking place, no funds would be forthcoming.

Now an undaunted Mr Watson is determined that the prestigious event should be held in Huddersfield and said he is redoubling his efforts to make it happen.

Up to £5,000 is needed if the event is to be held in the town in September 2013.

Twenty-five town criers need overnight accommodation for two nights which will swallow up the lion’s share of the bill.

In addition a dinner on the Saturday night for up to 55 people including VIPs and main sponsors would add another £1,000.

Further expenses included further lunches and suppers as well as gifts for judges, prizes and small gifts for the criers to take away.

Mr Watson said: “This event has never been held in Yorkshire before let alone Huddersfield and it is a great honour for the town.

“The George Hotel has reduced its rates right down to help us and money is slowly coming in with more than £650 promised so far.

“I am determined that the event will go ahead even if I have to run round the town in my shorts.”

Take a look at a gallery of a previous Town Crier competition held in Huddersfield

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He has also set up a small committee to run the event consisting of himself, Julia Liloff and the managing director of Discovery Radio, Jon Myers.

In a letter to Mr Watson, the secretary of The Loyal Company of Town Criers, John Robinson told him that his proposal for Huddersfield to host the event had been “warmly welcomed”.

However, he did sound a warning note that if another town/city presented a ‘guaranteed package’ before Huddersfield then the championship could migrate elsewhere.

But Mr Watson said he was confident the necessary funds would be raised though an appeal to town centre businesses had not fallen on the most receptive of ears.