A TOWN crier is hoping his "grotesque" part in a major BBC Christmas production will be a stepping stone to further acting success.

David Hinde rubbed shoulders with several famous actors and actresses in the three-part mini series The ABC Murders starring John Malkovich as Hercule Poirot.

The Helmsley Town Crier played the role of Mr Treadgold, an enormous lodger with two pustules on the back of his neck and won acclaim for his "grotesque demeanour".

"Make up took two to three hours to put on and I was sat next to Shirley Henderson," he said.

"It's been a fantastic experience. I hope very much it brings me even more opportunity. It's something I'm very grateful for."

He said following the primetime BBC1 screening on three consecutive days starting on Boxing Day, he received many social media messages of congratulation.

He hadn't told anyone about his role and was contacted afterwards by friends wanting to check that they really had seen him on their television screens.

It is not the first time Mr Hinde has mixed with the stars. He played the role of the Walmington-on-Sea town crier in the 2016 film version of Dad's Army when he led the Grand St George's Day Parade down Bridlington's Old Town High Street, transformed for the occasion into the fictional south coast town's High Street.

His latest role didn't take him outside Yorkshire either - his participation in all three parts of the TV series were filmed in Ripon.