David Colbourne has increased Sussex interest in the men's national league after being elected to the umpires panel.

Colbourne passed his scrutiny test while umpiring a match at East Grinstead last month.

He has no national league game this weekend but will be back in action as Hounslow take on Peterborough on March 16.

Lewes-based Colbourne, 39, becomes the county's only umpire currently on the men's list, although Frances Block and Kate Rogers officiate in the women's national league.

Having started umpiring ten years ago, he has worked his way up through the leagues. He is now on the C list, which means he can take charge up to national league division two level, although he admits it has not been an easy path.

Colbourne said: "All the progress is by peer approval. Somebody comes along to watch you and you can be watched on a number of games with the balance of opinion being taken.

"With the national league, it is a little different as you have just one go where you are watched and if you don't get on you go back to the divisional associations. Then it is up to them to put you forward again."

Colbourne would love to umpire at the highest level but is realistic about further progress.

He said: "You have to do a fitness test. I am 40 in May and in five years' time that will become harder and harder to do.

"In five years' time I will have reached as far as I can go."