Grandfather referee Ben Benning might be fast approaching 80 - but there's no sign of him giving up.

Even his long devoted wife Betty said: "I think he'll die refereeing. I always tell him he should take a spade with him!"

Ben did consider retiring three years ago and made a rack to hang his boots on. But that was the nearest he got to calling it a day.

The 79-year-old is the oldest active referee in Sussex. And he has certainly gone through the pain barrier to keep himself active on the Rother and Crowborough Youth Leagues' lists.

He said: "Over the past 18 months, I've had thrombosis in both legs, a broken toe, broken arm, poisoned foot, been blind in one eye for half a season and still I carry on.

"The trick was not to tell the managers or coaches that my eyesight had gone for six months. It's back now though and I have no intention of hanging up my boots."

Ben, who lives in Polegate with Betty, his wife for 57 years, started refereeing when Danny Blanchflower was playing for his favourite team Spurs and footballers wore baggy shorts.

Times have changed and Ben decided to stop officiating adult matches in the early 90s because of the amount of verbal abuse that was circulating.

He said: "There was a lot of ungentlemanly conduct and abusive language going about and that was not something I wanted to be involved with."

Ben had played until he was 40 for London Old Boy Competition club Enfield Old Grammarians, but diabetes forced him to retire.

However Ben was keen to stay involved and registered as a Class III official and later Class II.

The London Old Boys Competition is the largest league in the world with over 30 divisions and Ben has the feather in his cap of serving as its president for a two year spell.

He had already been a divisional match secretary for the competition.

He moved to Polegate in 1981 and officiated for over ten years in the East Sussex League, before moving to youth games.

Ben, who has five grandchildren of his own, said: "I never experience any trouble. I always see youth football as a learning curve for youngsters.

"So long as their comments are constructive, I'm happy for coaches to direct from the touchline. Also when I make a decision I explain why it's been made to the children. I like to think that has earned me some respect."

Betty added: "He is always receiving Christmas cards and some children from the Winkey club once visited when he was ill."

Her husband is still fit despite his recent problems, but he quipped: "I must admit, it does help when I have a linesman with me!"