A FORMER solider and karate instructor has landed a new role as a town crier.

Terry Tozer, who used to be in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, is the new town crier for Hailsham.

He went on to teach Shotokan karate around the South East - including at clubs in Brighton - before moving to Hailsham two years ago.

Terry, who has served in Germany, Northern Ireland, and the Falklands, takes over from the former town crier who retired after more than 12 years in the role.

He said: “I am really honoured and excited to have been chosen for the prestigious post of town crier or bell ringer of Hailsham.

“During the annual Hailsham switching on of the lights, I went into Hailsham Parish Church for a free cup of cocoa and fell in love with it. Soon after, I started joining in with their various activities that go on there, including bell ringing.

“2022 is going to be an exciting year, what with her majesty the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations and festivities including street parties, celebrating her long seventy-year reign and service to God and the country.

“I pray that I will be able to serve you all well and uphold the long proud English tradition of Hailsham town crier.”

Terry, who grew up in Croydon, spent most of his childhood in Scotland before joining the army and becoming an electronics technician.

In 1999, he started to teach Shotokan karate at a number of clubs in Reading, Bracknell and Brighton.

He moved to Hailsham following the death of his mother.

Terry was selected by a recruitment panel, which included the town major, town clerk and town councillors, to take over from Geoff Rowe.

He will assist the council, and its partners, in promoting important community events and special occasions.

Town Clerk John Harrison said: “There are currently over 200 town criers in the UK representing towns and cities, communicating in the oldest method available, by word of mouth.

"I am pleased that Hailsham is one of these and is able to enhance the image of our market town by appointing a new town crier.”

“We were looking for someone with a jovial, friendly and courteous personality in addition to good knowledge and understanding of Hailsham as a historic market town.

"Terry was the ideal candidate for the role.”

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