OYEZ! Oyez! Where is Dorchester's award-winning town crier?

Mayor Molly Rennie today called for the town's champion, Alistair Chisholm, to come forward after he missed public ceremonies.

She wants to hear from the colourful character and anyone who knows where he is, amid fears that he may have quit Dorchester.

Coun Rennie said: "Alistair has won many awards as town crier and has done a wonderful job.

"He is asset to the town and he is being missed. It would be a loss to the town if he moved away or stopped being town crier."

She added: "People are wondering where he is. I would be very pleased if he got in touch with me and if anyone else who knows where he is could help out."

Mr Chisholm, 54, who is national town crier champion, performs cries at Dorchester Town Council ceremonies and to publicise events.

But he has also sung the town's praises in competitions nationwide and on trips to Dorchester in Massachusetts, USA.

Staff at Age Concern in Prince of Wales Road, Dorchester, said Mr Chisholm had moved out of his flat above their Rowan Cottage base without leaving a forwarding address.

He has missed the wreath laying at Thomas Hardy's statue at the top of town to mark the writer's birthday as well as all of the mayor's engagements since she took over in May.

Mr Chisholm also didn't turn up to open the Owermoigne street fair but did attend the opening of the Dorchester town trails in April and the Big Affair in early July.

And staff at the Dorchester tourist information centre said he was not running his ghost walks in Weymouth and Dorchester or Thomas Hardy themed tours this summer.

Coun Rennie added: "People so much enjoy his walks and tours and he is good for the town's tourism.

"The town council has tried writing to him and phoning him but have had no reply."

Mr Chisholm, who has held the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers and Loyal Company of Town Criers titles, is officially a mace bearer for Dorchester Town Council.

Last year the town council gave him £1,000 to cover half the cost of his outfit as well as an annual allowance of £250 per year for expenses with an extra £250 available for travelling to shows and contests.

Mr Chisholm, who can also charge for appearances, threatened to quit last year after winning little support for calls to boost Dorchester's tourism and heritage trade.