A referee from Harpenden will take charge of the world’s first ever international walking football match when England host Italy.

Jonathan Sinfield has been playing the game for four years but was invited to a ref’s course last September.

And after qualifying as a tournament referee, he will be in the middle for the over 60’s match on Sunday at Brighton’s Amex Stadium.

Sinfield said: “I have had the good fortune to have played walking football in half-time demonstrations at both Stevenage & Watford so I am no stranger to appearing before a sizeable number of fans.

“It would be great for the players to receive the same reception at Brighton that we received at those where the fans related to our very evident love of the game.

“As referees, we do not always get it right but the best we can do is try our hardest, keep up with play, and rule in both an impartial and fair manner.”