The last ever town crying championships will go ahead this summer.
The final quirky contest takes place on June 13 in Nelson Mandela Corner behind Huddersfield Library.
An annual event has been running in the town for 15 years but organiser and Huddersfield town crier Vic Watson said that he has decided to retire it due to problems finding funding.
The event will coincide with him turning 70.
“It is just getting impossible to run due to the costs needed to stage it,” said Vic. “We have struggled with sponsorship, have never received any help from the council and I’ve put a lot of money in myself.
“This is unlike in small towns like Nantwich that put thousands into hosting their own event.
“It just seems so sad to have to end it but it’s becoming a bigger and bigger effort each year.
“I would like to thank those who have helped and the Piazza staff for being so good to me.”
During the events contestants, who come from as far as Liverpool and the Midlands, have had to perform their town cry and then one that responds to a topic picked by Vic.
He also offered prizes for the best dressed crier, the best town ambassador and best escort, as well as the Vic Watson award for the most handsome crier.
This year the event has had to move location due to a coinciding event booked to take place outside the Piazza.
Vic said: “For the finale I’ve raised £200 and the Piazza has helped us out too so we can have a good event with 14 criers.
“But of course, although the event will no longer run I’ll be continuing in my role as town crier – I have no plans to give up.”
The event will start at 11am and then will reconvene after lunch at 2pm.
