As life stories go, Peter White's isn't at all bad.

Cheated death as a teenager, ran the line in a major Wembley cup final, was part of the Hampshire CCC team' that last lifted the championship, ran a guesthouse where famous Saints players stayed, coached football and cricket at Oakmoore School in Portswood, won the Southampton bowls title ...

And, as he celebrates his 74th birthday today, still an active referee throughout the Southampton and Bournemouth areas!

The Lymington-based official started his refereeing career at Fleming Park in November 1956.

Now, exactly half a century on, White was returning to the Eastleigh-based sports centre today to take charge of a Southampton League match.

Still sprightly despite his years, White regularly referees up to three matches a week - a whistling schedule that no doubt shames some officials half his age.

Every Saturday he referees in the Drew Smith Southampton League.

Every Sunday he takes charge of a Bournemouth Sunday League game.

Every midweek he'll officiate a schools, colleges or university match.

Sometimes White will even be asked to referee a schools game on a Saturday morning!

"I don't like to do two games on a Saturday," he said. "I find you can't do the second one justice.

"But what can you do? You can't really say no' so you end up doing them.

"I did 97 games last season and I'll do the same amount this season."