A JUNIOR football league is in desperate need of more referees.

The Mercian Festival Football League, formerly the Mercian Elgar Football League, needs officials to take charge of games to teach young footballers the laws of the game.

Any interested in helping, even if only once a month, can contact referees' appointment secretary Trevor Rowley on 01905 424704 or 07960 655478.

Meanwhile, the league's mini soccer sessions kick-off on Saturdays at 10.30am for U9s to U11s boys and U10s to U12s girls. Eleven-a-side for boys from U12s to U16s starts at 2.30pm on Sundays.