A PREMIER League referee will take to the whistle at a special football tournament being staged by Wiltshire Police this weekend.

Roger East, 54, is supporting the seven-a-side event which involves 13-16 year olds from across the county and sees the force teaming up with the Wiltshire Black Police Association, Wiltshire County FA and the Kickoff@3 charity.

Sgt Ronnie Lungu, from the diversity and inclusion team at Wiltshire Police, said: “I’m really excited to be working with Kickoff@3 in bringing this football tournament to Wiltshire for the first time.

“It’s a brilliant opportunity for the police to engage with young people through sport and for them to see us in a different light. We hope the tournament will act as a platform to break down barriers and encourage greater confidence in the force too."

Mr East, who has been refereeing in the Premier League since 2012, said: “I look forward to returning to my home county to support such a great initiative that aims to get young people involved in sport and interacting positively with the police."

The tournament is taking place at Melksham Town FC on Sunday.