A POLICE sergeant who officiated at a top Premiership match while on sick leave with stress was backed by his bosses last night.

Sergeant Nigel Miller, as The Northern Echo revealed exclusively yesterday, already had the support of his doctors when he acted as one of two assistant referees for Saturday's high pressure game between title rivals Leeds United and Manchester United.

They said the exercise would be therapeutic.

The 42-year-old was signed off on a month's sick leave soon after transferring from Durham Police's crack firearms squad to a new role working shifts as custody sergeant at Bishop Auckland police station.

The chairman of Durham Police Authority, Councillor Joe Knox, dismissed calls for an inquiry into Sgt Miller's decision to run the line at the match, which was watched by 40,000 fans at Elland Road and by a worldwide audience on satellite TV.

Coun Knox said: "It is an operational matter. It is not for us to get involved.

"We are looking for him to return as soon as possible.

"If the doctor is saying it is part of his recuperation to get him back to work, then so be it.

"The matter has been looked into and Sgt Miller officiated at the match on the advice of his own doctor and the police authority doctor.

"He is a very professional officer and we don't like to lose people in any way."

Sgt Miller, 42, who lives near Durham, spent many years working as a firearms instructor.

He has also trained members of the elite group of armed officers who provide round-the-clock protection when Prime Minister Tony Blair visits his Sedgefield constituency.

A friend said he was regarded as one of the fittest men in uniform.

He said: "If Nigel was trying to pull a fast one, he would hardly have done it in front of 40,000 fans and a massive TV audience.

"He had permission from the force."

Ex-cup cinal referee Peter Willis, from the Referees Association, himself a former Durham police officer, said: "Nigel is a nice man and someone I know well.

"It is often allowed for when people are doing something while on sick leave that they find helpful and theraputic."

Sgt Miller declined to comment. He is due to return to work next week.