An 18-year-old referee made history in the 125-year-old Taunton and District Saturday Football League.

The teenager officiated a men's cup semi-final in Taunton, a feat made possible by the league's new referee mentoring scheme.

This programme is aimed at tackling the decline in young officials.

The initiative, led by former senior referees Richard Melinn and Colin Hill, spans the Taunton, Bridgwater and West Somerset football leagues.

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Taunton league initiative supports young referees in local football (Image: Apex Soccer Group) It focuses on cultivating young talent from the start, with a constructive, supportive approach.

Mr Melinn said: "We believe in fostering a positive learning environment where young referees feel empowered to grow.

"Our goal is to build their confidence and equip them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed."

The programme's effectiveness is reflected in the swift progress of the 18-year-old referee and his 16-year-old assistant, both part of the scheme.

Mr Hill, the league chairman and senior mentor, said: "This is a significant milestone.

"These young officials are incredibly talented and on the right path to achieve great things in refereeing."

The league plans to broaden the initiative to inspire more young individuals to pursue a career in refereeing.