Umpires in the Mewies Solicitors Craven League |have belatedly received an increase in fees.

Last season they were paid £20 a game if two umpires stood or £40 if one stood.

However, the Craven & District Umpires’ Association proposed a rise to £25 and £50 for the 2011 season.

This mistakenly went to the league’s annual meeting last month as a proposed rule change and was rejected by 14 votes to 13.

It should have gone for-ward to the league itself as a recommendation, as hap-pens in the JCT600 Bradford League, and this is what will happen in future.

League secretary Ann Coe explained: “We need to put something in place to sort out the fees, so the elected sub-committee met after the executive meeting.

“After much discussion it was agreed that the appropriate fee for the umpires this season would be £25 each umpire.

"If there is only one umpire, he or will get £50 but there won’t be any travelling allowances in either case.

“Consideration was given to the fact that the umpires have not had a pay increase since the 2007 season and the national average for umpires is £30, plus mileage allowance.

“Also, and more importantly, the fact is that we don’t want to lose any of our umpires because they feel under-valued by the clubs or league.”

Umpires’ Association appointments’ secretary Pete Roberts has organised a Level One umpires’ course, which will run on three successive Saturdays at Glusburn Cricket Club, starting on February 19.

At the end of the course, there will be an examination where the required pass mark is 80 per cent.

If the candidate is an Association of Cricket Officials (ACO) member, the cost will be £30.

Non-members will also pay £30 but get free membership for a year.

The league have agreed to pay the £35 cost for refreshments and heating.