THE future of Darwen’s town crier has been clarified.

Last week confusion reigned after members of the Darwen Research Group, which is in charge of the role, said Coun Anthony Meleady had verbally resigned prior to Friday’s Olympic bell ringing event.

But Coun Meleady hit back, saying he had only said he didn’t want to look after the uniform any more.

Yesterday, Dot Waring of the research group, said that a final decision had been reached.

She said: “A letter has been sent to Councillor Meleady by our secretary, saying that we accept his resignation.

“We will now be going through the proper routes to recruit a new town crier.”