BOLTON umpire Karen Knott's 40 years' service to cricket has been recognised with a prestigious honour.

She has been presented with an honorary life membership of the England and Wales Cricket Board-Association of Cricket Officials.

Nick Cousins, the head of the ECB ACO nationally travelled from London to make the presentation at the February monthly meeting of the ACO's northern branch at Unsworth Cricket Club.

Mrs Knott, of Great Lever, is one of the most well-known and respected umpires in the region.

As well as taking charge of matches, she has undertaken many roles in umpire administration and helping other people become umpires.

As well as being one of the few women in the country to umpire, the former teacher is one of the most respected officials in the area.

She has been a member of the ACO for 41 years – since the days of it being known as the Association of Cricket Umpires – and is the chairman of the northern branch of the Lancashire Cricket Board ACO and secretary of the Bolton Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association.

Originally from New Zealand, she has lived in Bolton since marrying her husband Clive, who was also an umpire for more than 40 years.

She has umpired in competitions outside the Bolton League, including back home in New Zealand around four years ago when her presence was something new to the teams involved.

"We went over for a holiday and we were asked to umpire," she said.

"My dad was an umpire and my brother is an umpire there now.

"In my local community they hadn't had a female umpire before, but they have now.

"Over here there are very few female umpires around. There are one or two around but not many.

"It was nice to be honoured but I have enjoyed my 41 seasons being an umpire.

"It's been a great experience and I have travelled quite a bit umpiring and umpired at Old Trafford.

"I have met some great people and thoroughly enjoyed it."