Gloucestershire fast bowler David Payne has agreed a contract extension to remain at the Brightside Ground until 2019.

The left-arm seamer – whose previous deal ran until the end of 2017 – has taken more than 300 wickets across all formats including 43 in last season’s County Championship.

He is the latest Gloucestershire player to commit his long-term future in recent weeks following Matt Taylor, Benny Howell, Liam Norwell, Craig Miles and George Hankins.

And the 25-year-old admits that the prospect of the current squad remaining together was a big factor behind signing his new contract.

He said: “We are a very tight knit squad and we spoke in the dressing room about how important it was for us to stay together. To have so many of the guys committing their future to the club was massive for me and is also great for the club.

“I believe if we can continue to develop and improve as we have done over recent seasons we can have a lot of success in the future.”

David’s most memorable moment in a Gloucestershire shirt came in the 2015 Royal London One-Day Cup final win over Surrey. Bowling the last over, David dismissed both Sam Curran and Gareth Batty to secure the club’s first piece of silverware in 11 years.

He only played two white ball matches in 2016 and admits that regaining his place in the shorter forms of the game is a big motivation for the coming season.

He said: “I probably got injured at the wrong time but I was really pleased for Matty (Taylor) who came in and did a brilliant job to help us reach the quarter finals of the T20.

“It is great that we have more competition for places among the bowlers and I hope to try and win my place back next year.”

A former England Under-19 international David – who grew up in Dorset - signed as a professional in October 2009, following two years on the Gloucestershire Academy.

He holds the record for the best bowling figures in Gloucestershire history with the 7-29 - including four wickets in as many balls – in a CB40 match against Essex at Colchester in 2010.

A useful lower order batsman David averaged 27 in last season’s County Championship First Class with a top score of 67 not out v Glamorgan.

He said he hopes to continue to play a key role in the side over the coming seasons as the side look to develop their consistency across all three formats.

He said: “I enjoyed the role of leading the attack in the championship last year and felt that I performed well.

“Hopefully I can keep improving my skills personally and help the other bowlers as well.

“As a team I think we are making progress heading in the right direction. We know that we need to improve our consistency in order to compete in every competition and I would love to see us turn Bristol into a real fortress next year.”

Gloucestershire head coach Richard Dawson said: “Payney had a very good season in the County Championship. He performed with great consistency and it has been pleasing to see him continue to develop in this format.

“He also scored vital runs down the order and has been an integral part of the team this season. Hopefully he can continue to kick on over the next few years.”