VISITORS could soon be given a personal welcome to Dorchester - if a proposal to employ a full-time town crier meets with success.

The scheme, put forward by the town's chamber of commerce, could see town crier Alistair Chisholm give a series of cries throughout the day and take on a more visible, promotional role to boost tourism.

The plan comes as Mr Chisholm returns from Newton Abbot in Devon where he won silver medal in the town-crying European championships last weekend. He was second only to a Belgian crier out of a field of 50. He is already undisputed national and British champion town crier, also holding the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers' title.

Mr Chisholm, a blue badge tourist guide, is well known in Dorchester for his cries at ceremonies and in the town centre on Saturdays.

Julian Nangle, who runs bookshop Words Etc on Cornhill, Dorchester, proposed a full-time role for the town crier at a chamber of commerce meeting and is collecting signatures on a petition that will be circulated around the town.

The petition proposes that the chamber calls on Dorchester town council to increase the town crier's wage in line with greater promotional duties.

The petition reads: "It is the belief of the chamber that Alistair Chisholm contributes hugely to the success and promotion of our town as a tourist destination. He has won several town crying competitions and came second in the world championships in Vancouver two years ago.

"This man is a national treasure, but we, the townspeople of Dorchester, pay him an annual allowance of £250 towards his magnificent wardrobe. That's all!"

Mr Chisholm confirmed the town council gave him £1,000 to cover half the cost of his outfit and gives him an annual allowance of £250 per year for expenses. A further £250 is available for travelling to shows and contests.

Former teacher Mr Chisholm, 54, of Prince of Wales Road, said: "It seems a sensible thing to do and I am all for it, not because it's me, but because one of the things that the town does not do is promote itself. If you happen to have the national town crying champion in your town, why not use him to sing the praises of the town? It's another asset that the town has that it makes very little use of."

Chamber president Richard Thorogood said: "Firstly, we need to see if we can get funding to make his position more full-time - so he can be involved in promoting Dorchester and having a greater presence on the street."