ROSSENDALE'S town crier Pete Gill is on the lookout for a skilled embroiderer who can do justice to the borough's coat of arms.

The finishing touches are being put to his town crier's uniform which will make its debut during the Mayor's Charity Fun Day on Sunday.

Rossendale's first official crier has the shoes, socks, gloves and bell. A lady town crier in Chester is making the coat, cloak and breeches, and the tricorn hat is on its way.

All Pete lacks is an embroidered badge depicting Rossendale's coat of arms to go on one side of the cloak. On the other side he will display the Greater Manchester Fire Service crest which his employers have given him permission to wear.

His search for a skilled embroiderer has been fruitless. He said: "I have contacted a few companies who make blazer badges but they want a minimum order of a dozen.

"I could have the badge machine-made but a machinist would use only gold and silver coloured thread which looks flat.

"I am looking for someone who can do that type of traditional embroidery using proper silver and gold thread."

The council coat of arms is complex, featuring grass, trees, a shield, a ram's head, bales of cotton, a show, five roses, a stag, a wolf, a helmet, a shuttle and a squirrel.

The £1,500 uniform is being sponsored by Dale Winfield, of Winfield's store in Haslingden.

Pete is due to make his debut riding in the classic car cavalcade from Marl Pits to Newhalley Cricket Club at noon on Sunday.

He added: "The badge would take some time to make and will last a good many years.

"I would rather wait a bit longer and get it done properly because it is important."

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