GLOUCESTERSHIRE seamer David Payne insists he is 'thrilled' to sign a new three-year contract.

The 23-year-old left-armer is now tied to the club until the end of the 2017 season and has the opportunity to further develop his game at the Bristol County Ground.

He said: “I am thrilled to have signed for another three years with the club and am really looking forward to continuing the journey with this young group of players.

“With the departure of Will Gidman, I am hoping to step up into a more senior role and lead the bowling group over the coming years, which is something I am looking forward to.

“The squad is developing and moving in the right direction - as shown by our performances in the Royal London One-Day Cup this season – and the signs are good for the future.”

A former England Under-19 player, has taken 90 wickets in 38 first class appearances for Gloucestershire, with a best of 6-26 against Leicestershire at Bristol in 2011.

In List A cricket he has claimed 76 victims at an average of 21.27 and boasts the best ever figures by a Gloucestershire bowler in a one-day game – 7-29 against Essex in a 40-over match at Chelmsford in 2010, including four wickets with successive balls and six wickets in the space of nine deliveries.

He has also taken 35 wickets in 32 T20 matches at an average of 23.45. He made his Gloucestershire debut back in 2009 against Hampshire in a 40-over game at Southampton.

Gloucestershire Director of Cricket John Bracewell added: “I am delighted that David has extended his contract out for another three years.

“He is approaching that time when the amount of games played means valued experience and the production of wickets.

“He is now in a position to start leading our attack and fulfilling his early promise.”