Mr Retter was nominated for the award by council chairman John Zarczynski, who said he was a ‘very deserving’ choice.

Honiton’s long-serving town crier has been selected as this year’s

Dave Retter, who was born in Cotleigh, took up the position of town crier in 1996, was unanimously picked by town councillors at a meeting last month.

Mr Retter said: “I am surprised to hear about this. The only reason I became town crier was to ensure that Honiton’s Hot Pennies ceremony survived.

“No-one else applied so I was very lucky. I love Honiton and the surrounding areas and feel really lucky to live here.

“Carrying out the Hot Pennies ceremony is fantastic. Like all town criers, my job is to promote my town locally, nationally and internationally.

“I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. I have grown up around Honiton and have lots of memories. It is a very friendly place.”

Honiton mayor John Zarczynski, who proposed that Mr Retter should be honoured citizen, said: “It gave my great pleasure to nominate Dave for the award and I think it is well deserved - and well overdue!

“Dave has served the town very well over the years and always offered support to the town’s mayors throughout the years.

“In my opinion, he is a very deserving recipient of this honour - Honiton is very lucky to have him.”

Mr Retter will be presented with his award at next year’s mayor making ceremony.

He said: “Ironically, quite a few years ago, I made the board that the honoured citizens name on.

“I never thought my name would be on it! I am a joiner and carpenter by trade so it was just another job to me.

“I was involved in the ceremony for the very first names on the honoured citizens board. Now it seems it has come full circle.

“I have no plans to give up town crying - if I had a plan, it would be to write a book. I have some fantastic stories to tell.”

Previous recipients of the award include Carol Gilson, founder of the widely-celebrated Joe Gilson Mobility Scheme, and Margaret Lewis, curator at Honiton’s Allhallows Museum.