Tributes have been paid to West Midlands-born London town crier Peter Moore, who has died aged 70.

Mr Moore, who was the capital’s town crier for 31 years, died at his home in Wandsworth.

He suffered a heart attack in the summer but carried on ringing his bell and promoting London right up until his death.

Mr Moore was born at Walsall Manor Hospital in 1939 and brought up by Barnardo’s in Walsall. He lived in Hammerwich until he was 14.

Ms Maxine Howard led the tributes to her former partner. She said: “He had been told that his heart was very weak but he never gave up doing his town crying.

“Peter was a trooper, a workaholic. He was a people person. He just adored London.”

Mr Moore worked as an actor in London before becoming the official town crier and Ms Howard said he “ran away to seek his fortune in London”. His acting roles included the undertaker Mr Sowerberry in the original stage production of Oliver! in 1960, but work later dried up.

Ms Howard said Mr Moore was then asked to act as a town crier for an event and his new role was born.

It was a role which took him all over the world, promoting London as a tourist destination.

Mr Moore also appeared at every one of the New Year’s Day parades through central London and had already recorded scenes welcoming revellers to Friday’s event. He was also due to revceive a lifetime achievement award. Organisers say the scenes will now be shown as a tribute. Bob Bone, the parade’s executive director, said: “Peter was synonymous with London and the New Year’s Day parade which he loved so much.”

Mr Moore had taken part in all 24 parades since 1987.

“To mark that achievement and dedication to duty we were planning to present Peter on January 1 with a lifetime achievement award. Sadly, this will now have to be posthumous,” he said.

“I know I speak on behalf of all my colleagues and the hundreds of thousands expected on the streets this Friday when I say he really will be sadly missed and is irreplaceable.”

Mr Moore, who leaves a son Jamie, aged 22, died in his sleep on December 20.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been made.