Tributes have been paid to London's town crier, Peter Moore, who died aged 70.

Mr Moore, who was the capital's town crier for 31 years, died at his home in Wandsworth.

He suffered a heart attack in the summer but carried on ringing his bell and promoting London right up until his death.

"He had been told that his heart was very weak but he never gave up doing his town crying," said Mr Moore's former partner Maxine Howard.

"Peter was a trooper, a workaholic. He was a people person. He just adored London."

Ms Howard said Mr Moore was brought up by Barnardo's in Walsall, West Midlands, and "ran away to seek his fortune in London".

He became an actor and played undertaker Mr Sowerberry in the original stage production of Oliver! in 1960 but work later dried up.

Ms Howard said Mr Moore was then asked to act as a town crier for an event and his new role was born. It was a role which took him all over the world, promoting London as a tourist destination.

Mr Moore also appeared at every one of the New Year's Day parades through central London and had already recorded scenes welcoming revellers to Friday's event. Organisers say the scenes will now be shown as a tribute.

Mr Moore, who leaves his son Jamie (22), died in his sleep on December 20. Funeral arrangements have not yet been made.

http://www.londontowncrier.com/