Yorkshireman makes noise in Hollywood

HULL, England -- A British man has been appointed as the official town crier of Hollywood.

Michael Wood, the town crier of the East Riding of Yorkshire, has taken his bell and frock coat to Hollywood Boulevard, the street where the pavements are literally paved with stars.

The 47-year-old from Hull has proved a hit in the city of the stars, with tourists lining up to be photographed with him.

"It has been fantastic," Wood told the Press Association.

"The sun has shone every day, which is a little bit better than Yorkshire weather. Lots of people have come up to me who see who I am. They throw their arms up and say: Photograph me!"'

Wood, already the British and world champion town crier, saw the need for his skills when he visited Hollywood as a tourist.

"It really was a disappointment as a tourist. Nothing was gelling together," he said.

"With Hollywood as a background, there was so much more they could do."

He wrote to bosses of the local business improvement district, a partnership which aims to improve the area and encourage tourists -- and was rewarded with a contract to spend the summer on Hollywood Boulevard greeting visitors.

"It is a hell of a thing to come to Hollywood, where they wrote the book on entertainment, and show them what I do," he said.

The stint, which ends this month, is part of a bid by local firms to improve the image of the boulevard.

Kerry Morrison, executive director of the business improvement district, said: "One of the things we realised is that there's no centralised ambassador or greeter in the district.

"He creates a focal point for people to feel welcome and special."

Wood is in talks with Hollywood bosses about returning next year with new ideas for marketing the area and greeting tourists.