SOMERSET County Cricket Club has enjoyed another strong financial year.

The 2016 accounts show the club remains one of the strongest performing first class counties following pre-tax profits of £596,700.

The Club benefited from a full year of operational activity on the new Somerset Pavilion, a strong on-field cricketing performance for the season, exceptional Natwest T20 Blast sales with every fixture sold out, plus buoyant catering and commercial revenues.

Chairman Andy Nash said: “These excellent results crown a decade of significant financial progress at Somerset County Cricket Club.

"The strong growth in turnover and profit last year allow us to continue investing heavily in our cricket squad and press ahead with further significant improvements to facilities at the Cooper Associates County Ground, while paying down our borrowings on schedule.

"With the inauguration of Taunton as an international venue next season when England play an IT20 match against South Africa on June 23, as well as hosting the ICC Women’s World Cup, we expect the strong financial performance of the club to continue.

"Whilst the financial future of the club remains very positive, we will continue to invest in strong financial controls and robust management to ensure we are prepared for any challenges that may lie ahead.

"I'd like to place on record my thanks and congratulations to all my colleagues at Somerset County Cricket Club whose solid teamwork and commitment have made these outstanding results possible."

Meanwhile, Somerset has won three awards at the prestigious ECB's annual Business of Cricket Awards held at Lord's.

Somerset scooped the County Recognition Award as an acknowledgement for an extremely impressive year which saw the club achieve record revenues and attendances, including selling out platinum membership, all seven NatWest T20 Blast home fixtures and the Royal London One-Day Cup quarter-final against Worcestershire.

The club also secured the Marketing and Communications Award for Category B/C Grounds for its 2016 membership campaign along with its successful promotion of the NatWest T20 Blast competition.

It also won the Commercial Partnerships Award for its work with the Real Shaving Company, its Official NatWest T20 Blast Partner.

Head of commercial operations Jez Curwin said: “Everyone at the club should be really proud of what we have achieved over the last 12 months.

"We have a small but dedicated and enthusiastic team who are constantly striving to reach the highest possible standards in everything that they do."