Town criers from around the country turned out to give a Ledbury legend one final send-off.

William Turberfield, fondly known as Bill the Bell, died in September at the age of 91.

Mr Turberfield, who served as Ledbury’s town crier for 18 years, made his final journey through the high street and was laid to rest in Ledbury Cemetery following a funeral service at St Michael & All Angels Church last month.

Tony Evans, the town crier of Nailsworth, read the town criers’ prayer and a number of town criers saluted Mr Tuberfield’s coffin.

A letter from Mary Champion, the former mayor of Royal Wootton Bassett - which Mr Turberfield visited a number of times - was read by their town crier, Owen Collier.

The family said they would like to thank those who paid their respects in town and at the church, with special thanks to Amie, Matt and their staff at Jackson funeral directors, Reverend Keith Hilton-Turvey, Ledbury mayor Helen l'Anson, Ledbury Rugby Club, and Westons, Pixley Berries and Haygrove Farm for their help recreating the Turberfield Royale cocktail.

After moving to Ledbury, Mr Turberfield became the Town Guide, member of the local Poets Society and soon after, the Town Crier.

He was devoted to Ledbury and would spend his Saturdays popping into the town in his regalia to greet local traders and visitors.

On other occasions he represented Ledbury internationally and at Town Crier competitions as a member of the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers.

He would also attend Wootton Bassett for the repatriation of fallen soldiers who had served in Afghanistan.

In 2018, he retired from active duties, becoming an honorary member of the Guild.

Mr Turberfield had a variety of occupations throughout his life mainly in health care, serving as a paramedic in the RAMC (Royal Army Medical Core), an SRN (State Registered Nurse), theatre nurse, sales representative for Glaxo (baby food), mental health nurse and before retiring, a charge nurse.