HEREFORDIAN Nigel Barnes is striving for a place among the elite referees in English football.

The 36-year-old joinery expert took up the whistle four years ago and has set his sights on the Premiership, writes IAN MORGAN.

Now refereeing in the Dr Martens League, Barnes is believed to have made the journey in the swiftest time for a Herefordshire official.

"My age is against me, but my aim is definitely to get to the top," said Barnes, who works for Jewson in Hereford.

"Officials at the top normally have about 20 years' experience, and the careers of leading referees end at the age of 45. But I plan to go for it.

"I have run the line in the Nationwide Conference, but my highlight so far has been as an assistant referee in a reserve game between Aston Villa and Bolton Wanderers," he added.

Having registered as a Class 3 referee in October 1997, officiating in the Hereford Times Herefordshire League and the Jewson Herefordshire Sunday League, Barnes stepped up to Class 1 status two years later.

He initially started life in the Dr Martens League as an assistant referee but has graduated. He is now embarking on his second season as a 'man in the middle' of that section.

Barnes, who lives in Kingstone, added: "During my short career as a registered referee I have had a lot of support and guidance from the Herefordshire Football Association, Hereford Referees' Association, my fellow referees and especially the county assessors' panel.

"All this help has ultimately helped me gain such rapid promotion."

Neil Jenkins, HFA's referees' appointment secretary, said: "We have high hopes for Nigel. He is always willing to listen and knows he may soon be one of the elite full-time officials earning their reputed pot of gold."