MIKE Burns, the Walney-born former Somerset CC skipper, has been selected for the First Class umpires list.

The 46-year-old – who learnt his trade at Vickerstown before going on to play for Warwickshire and Somerset – replaces the retiring Martin Bodenham.

During his 15-year professional career from 1992-2005, Burns scored more than 7,500 runs, his greatest feat being a record-breaking innings of 221 off 367 balls for Somerset against Yorkshire in 2001.

The score remains the best by a Cumbrian in First Class cricket, as well as beating Sir Viv Richards’ record for the highest innings by a Somerset batsman against Yorkshire.

A useful wicketkeeper and medium pacer, Burns also claimed 68 wickets, including a career best six for 58, in his 154 First Class matches.

Burns has been on the umpires’ reserve list since 2012 and also holds an ECB coaching certificate.

His predecessor Bodenham created history when he was named as a First Class umpire for the 2009 county cricket season.

The 65-year old who was a Football League referee between 1978-1992 as well as officiating in the Premier League between 1992-1998, became the first person to have officiated at top-flight football and umpire at First Class level.

“Martin can be very proud of the successful transition he made from one sporting code to another,” said Gordon Hollins, the ECB chief operating officer.

“He has been a highly respected figure within our first-class game and leaves with ECB’s sincere thanks for his contribution to cricket and our best wishes for his retirement.

“We are also delighted to welcome Michael onto the full first-class list for the first time and congratulate him on having made such an impressive start to his umpiring career.”

ECB Full List 2016: Rob Bailey, Neil Bainton, Paul Baldwin, Mark Benson, Michael Burns, Nick Cook, Nigel Cowley, Jeff Evans, Russell Evans, Steve Gale, Steve Garratt, Michael Gough, Ian Gould, Peter Hartley, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong, Graham Lloyd, Jeremy Lloyds, Neil Mallender, David Millns, Steve O’Shaughnessy, Tim Robinson, Martin Saggers, Alex Wharf.