Fred Ferris

Fred, 82, had been the voice of the town for more than 15 years.

He died on Thursday night at the Great Western Hospital after being ill for a number of weeks.

His son, David, 59, said:“Being the Swindon town crier was something he really enjoyed and it suited him down to the ground. He was always neat and impeccably turned out which is why he earned the nickname ‘Mr Shiny Shoes.’”

Mr Ferris entered a competition to be town crier in 1997 and represented the town in numerous events, from civic functions to village fetes.

He was known for his distinctive green, black and gold uniform, the colours of GWR locomotives, to represent Swindon’s heritage.

David said: “Once he retired, the town crier role gave him something to focus on and he was very proud to represent Swindon.”

On the town criers circuit he was much admired by his peers and won numerous awards.

He won Best Dressed Town Crier more than 10 times and in 2011 he won the Best Content of Cry Award.

The most prestigious award Fred received was the Loyal Company of Town Criers’ Badge Of Honour, presented to him in front of the town council, receiving a full standing ovation from everyone in the room.

Owen Collier, the Royal Wootton Bassett crier, said: “I first met Fred when I was a new crier in 2001. He was always very well turned out so it was no surprise he started to win prizes for his appearance. He will be greatly missed by the other town criers.”

He was born in Swindon in 1931. He spent all of his working life at Bristol Tramway and Carriage Company, now known as StageCoach, first as a driver and then as an inspector.

He was also vice president of the Pegasus Brass Band.

He leaves his widow Gwyneth, 11 children and 12 grandchildren.