Marlborough Town Crier Alfie Johnson is hanging up his bell after 21 years in the role working under 19 mayors.

The announcement was made at the annual meeting of the full town council on Monday evening when the 84-year-old was presented with a paperweight engraved with the town council crest and motto.

Mr Johnson made the decision to step down when his wife Anne, who died in December, became ill.

He said: “I’ve got very mixed feelings about it because it’s been part of my life for 21 years and I know all of the people and how things work but I suffer with arthritis and I can’t stand without two sticks so I can’t do the job as well as I would like to.

“I woke up on Tuesday morning and I thought ‘what have I done’ but its better to go out on a high than to carry on.

“I going to miss all of the people.”

Mr Johnson has been wearing the same uniform since 1994 after taking over from John O’Keefe who announced his intention to hand in his bell and stand down at the Mop Fair in 1993.

He has continued with his crying even in the face of ill health, making his way around the town in a mobility scooter which boast a plaque engraved with the words Marlborough Town Crier Official Transport which he was given after a foot operation three years ago.

He even continued in the role after having a stroke in September 2012.

In the two decades he has served as town crier he has attended thousands of community events and has stood alongside royalty, including Prince Charles and Camilla when they visited Marlborough for the charter celebrations in 2004.

Marian Hannaford Dobson, the last mayor that Mr Johnson will serve under, said: “Alf has been a town crier for over 20 years and is loved by all, indeed he was voted Citizen of the Year this year.

“Alf came to me last April and said that his wife Annie was unwell and that he felt he would not be able to continue with his duties for very much longer.

“Although saddened by this news, I understood his reasons. Much to my delight Alf has finished this mayoral year with me, although to our great sadness Annie is no longer with us.

“I wish him well for his future.”