HE says the volume of his voice was not far off the same amount of decibels as Concorde taking off.

But 25 years of ringing the bells and shouting as the town crier of Christchurch had an unfortunate effect on Keith Jackman.

The 86-year-old, who has served 25 years in the traditional role, says his bell ringing caused him to go deaf and led to him being fitted with two hearing aids.

Now he says he has perfect hearing and was in Christchurch on Friday rallying people to have a free hearing test at Specsavers to raise money for the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

He said: “Twenty-five years of ringing the hand bell in my right hand changed my hearing in my right ear.

“It was very gradual so at first I didn’t notice anything different.

“But I went to Specsavers and had my ears tested and have now got two hearing aids.

“I didn’t realise what I was missing out on, such as the sound of birdsong.

“I’m really enjoying hearing all the new sounds. It’s really made me realise how bad it had got.”

Mr Jackman added: “I wanted to help and make sure everyone who may be suffering from bad hearing goes and gets help because it does change your life.”