SOMERSET County Cricket Club have appointed Lee Cooper as their new Chief Executive.

Cooper is to replace the outgoing Guy Lavender, who takes up a similar position with the MCC at Lord's in September.

Once a promising cricketer himself, Cooper played for Somerset at age group level before going on to establish Cooper Associates, the financial services firm who sponsor the County Ground.

Speaking about his appointment, Cooper told the club website: "I am absolutely delighted. 

"This is a role I am extremely passionate about and one that I am very excited to be undertaking."

Chairman Andy Nash said: "After an extensive recruitment process, we were unanimous in our view that Lee Cooper was the outstanding candidate.

Nash went on to confirm that Cooper will be stepping down from executive duties with Cooper Associates, with a member of Somerset's General Committee to be appointed to maintain the working relationship between the two.