His name is Melody and is in perfect harmony with the city of Southampton.

John Melody broke through the sound barrier yesterday to become the city's new town crier.

The 62-year-old grandfather's 104 decibel voice broke the sound monitor machine and was enough to shake The Bargate to its very foundations.

For the audition to find the new voice of Southampton was held on the doorstep of the city's most famous landmark and on the 40th anniversary of being granted city status. Six potential town criers exercised their lungs.

Isle of Wight town crier Shirley Ballard showed them how it was done.

Then the six contestants, complete with the traditional tricorn hat and armed with a handbell, took to the stage.

They were given a big introduction by the master of ceremonies and star of TV's Boss Swap Lee Peck.

They were each given a prepared script, part of which read:

"Today, Tuesday, February 24, 2004, Southampton stands proudly as the south's leading city.

"I call upon all those present to give three hearty cheers to herald and celebrate the 40th birthday of our great city of Southampton."

Among those bidding to be town crier was 43-year-old American Mark Hartung, who has only lived in Southampton for three years.

But it was John Melody who won the votes of the panel.

John, who lives in Shirley, Southampton, will be following in the footsteps of popular town crier Jack Hibberd MBE who died in December 2002.

A former teacher, John said: "This has helped me to project my voice. I applied to be town crier because I wanted to give something to the community and help charities. I am very proud of this great city and it has a great football team."

YE FACTS:

John Melody was born in Warrington, on October 15, 1941. He lives in Shirley and is married with two children and three grandchildren.

He came to Southampton in 1967 and taught at St Mary's College and Charlton Preparatory School. He was at City College, Southampton for 25 years.

Hobbies include collecting car badges, mascots, and horse brasses. He also enjoys walking and swimming.

TO READ MORE ABOUT SOUTHAMPTON CELEBRATING 40 YEARS AS A CITY - CLICK THE LINK ON THE 'THIS IS SOUTHAMPTON' HOMEPAGE.