A TEENAGE girl from Puriton has become the Somerset Football Association's youngest qualified referee.

Daisy Goldsmith, who turned 14 yesterday, joins a male dominated profession as she has become an FA recognised referee.

She sailed through her exams, which are aimed at adults, with 84 per cent.

Although Daisy, who attends Chilton Trinity Technology College in Bridgwater, qualified when she was 13, she cannot register officially until she turns 14.

Daisy said: "I feel really proud, thankful and overwhelmed. The exam was challenging and I'm glad I did so much revision with the support of the referee coaches and mentors - particularly my uncle David, who has been a referee for many years.

"I really love the responsibility that goes with refereeing and I would like to be more confident - I'm looking forward to building on my experience."

At 16 she hopes to become an adult referee and make it a part-time job.

She added: "If I were to become professional I would love to go all the way - internationals etc, but at the moment refereeing county matches is what I would like to do. It would be a dream though to lead out the teams at a wonderful stadium such as Wembley or the Millennium Stadium."