Kent have been given a boost by the news that England Lions batsman Daniel Bell-Drummond has agreed a new contract with the club.

The opener, who turns 24 next month, came through the ranks at Kent after joining the club at the age of seven and has established himself in the first XI in all formats over the past few seasons after making his break through in the summer of 2011.

The right-hander's contract was due to expire at the end of this season and there were reports that beleaguered Division 1 side Warwickshire were keen to take him to Edgbaston next year, however it was revealed on Tuesday afternoon that he will remain at the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, after agreeing an extension for an undisclosed term.

Bell-Drummond said: “Kent has been a huge part of my life since I was seven years old. I feel very much at home here.

“I want to play for England one day and I feel my game is progressing well with the support of (head coach) Matt Walker and the Kent coaches.

“It’s an exciting time for the club and I want to contribute to some success for our supporters.”

Walker added: “Daniel has worked very hard on all aspects of his game and it’s pleasing to see the progress he’s made in recent years.

“The most exciting thing about Daniel is how much more there is to come and it’s great to see him commit his future to the club.

“He’s shown maturity beyond his years since breaking into the side at the top of the order where there’s no hiding place.”

Having topped Kent’s averages in the Royal London One-Day Cup this season, Bell-Drummond hit four sixes in 55 balls to finish 90 not out in Spitfires’ NatWest T20 Blast win over Essex Eagles at Beckenham on Sunday.

He is closing on 4,500 First Class runs in 77 appearances while he has amassed a further 2,294 at an average of 42 in 61 List A cricket appearances and 1,185 in 46 T20 knocks.

After earning his county cap in 2015, last year was a breakthrough year with Bell-Drummond improving his career-best in all three formats and earning Kent’s One-Day Player of the Year award.

Last summer Bell-Drummond also hit 171 and shared the second highest limited-overs partnership in world cricket - 367 in 232 balls - with Ben Duckett against Sri Lanka A at Canterbury.