A wrestling referee from the North-East is on his way to the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

Dave Sudron, 48, has been chosen by the amateur wrestling foundation, FILA, as one of a small group to referee the bouts in Manchester.

Mr Sudron, from Billingham, Teesside, has coached the Stockton Olympic Wrestling Club at Stockton Sports Centre since 1983 and has been an international referee since 1993.

His career has taken him around the world, including Colorado Springs, France, Warsaw, Malta and Cyprus.

But he regards the Commonwealth Games as the highlight.

Mr Sudron, a parts manager at car dealership CD Bramall, in Darlington, said: "It is not the biggest competition in terms of numbers, but it is in terms of prestige. "I'm looking forward to it with anticipation, but the main thing I want is to do a good job."

He has had five trips to Manchester in preparation for the competition and is due to register at the Commonwealth Games on July 31, ready for the wrestling competition on August 2, 3 and 4.

Wrestling is a family affair in the Sudron household. His son, Michael, was once British champion and was rated sixth in the world, while his grandson, Marcus, aged eight, won a silver medal at the East of Scotland Championships in February in the under-12s category.