PEOPLE interested in becoming football referees in Darlington are being encouraged to take part in a series of training courses.

The Darlington Referees' Society regularly runs referee training schemes.

Refereeing is becoming more popular and the society now has 50 members, its highest-ever number.

Young people are also being encouraged to get involved, and seven youngsters between 14 and 18 are refereeing in junior leagues in the area.

Young referees from the society have also recently officiated in various children's football competitions and six youngsters have enrolled for a course next month.

For more information about refereeing courses, contact society secretary George Cornforth on (01325) 281359.