Leicestershire will retain the services of Tim Boon, their senior coach, until at least 2011 after he signed an extension to his contract.

"I am delighted that Tim has extended his contract with the club," said David Smith, Leicestershire's chief executive. "I must place on record my appreciation of the hard work that has been undertaken by Tim Boon and all his coaching staff. I am very keen that we develop continuity right the way through the club."

Boon, 48, was a key part of the Leicestershire side for a decade from the mid 1980s, and had immediate success when he returned as coach in 2006, guiding the county to victory in the domestic Twenty20 Cup. He has also played a leading role in the county's push for greater first-team opportunities for the area's young players.

"When Tim took over the club in February 2006, the development plan for our young cricketers had not been fully implemented with the Leicestershire and Rutland Cricket Board," added Smith. "In the last 18 months the club has provided the England age-group set-up with eight players - James Taylor, Josh Cobb, Greg Smith, Nathan Buck, Alex Wyatt, Shiv Thakor, Ben Collins and Tom Wells.

"This in line with our aim of producing a consistent pipeline of good young English-qualified players, developed through the Leicestershire and Rutland system. There are others already identified to follow."