A POLICE officer at the centre of controversy for acting as a linesman while on sick leave is aiming for the top.

Sergeant Nigel Miller has said he is desperate for promotion to the roster of top-flight referees.

County Durham police officer Sgt Miller hit the headlines last September when he was an assistant referee in a match between Leeds United and Manchester United.

The officer's appearance caused a furore because he was signed off work with stress.

Sgt Miller, based in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, was then dropped from other high-profile games, including the Newcastle versus Sunderland clash.

This season, he has been appointed referee for games in the Nationwide League. He said his ambition is to take charge of a Premiership game.

However, it is a race against time because, under FA regulations, he will have to retire as an official, in five years.

He said: "Outside of work, I am concentrating purely on refereeing. I have dropped my other sporting interests because I cannot afford to get injured.

"Referees are the subject of continual assessment and must meet exacting standards before promotion to the next level."