LANCASHIRE have appointed former player Glen Chapple as head coach.

The 42-year-old replaces Ashley Giles who left Old Trafford to return to Warwickshire earlier this winter.

Chapple spent his entire playing career with the Red Rose playing 664 matches for the county.

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The former Nelson and Colne College pupil, who also captained Lancashire to the County Championship title in 2011, had been in interim charge at Lancashire since Giles' departure at the end of last year.

The club have also named Mark Chilton as assistant head coach. The 40-year-old made 433 appearances for Lancashire scoring more than 14,000 runs and has led the second XI for the past two seasons.

Chapple, who has been first team coach at Old Trafford since 2014, said: “Having grown up as a Lancashire player, and played and coached for over 20 years for the club, I am incredibly honoured by this opportunity and I would like to thank Chairman Michael Cairns and the Lancashire County Cricket Club board for their faith in me to lead the county as head coach.

"Collectively, Mark and I are committed to delivering a team that the whole club, the members, the supporters and the county of Lancashire can be proud of.

"We have an incredibly talented and young group of players at Emirates Old Trafford, and we are hugely excited about the coming season and few years ahead, and what we believe we can achieve.”

Chilton added: "I am equally proud to be provided with this opportunity. Both Glen, and myself, are confident that we can deliver, with the right culture and we, along with the players, have a burning desire to achieve something that we can all be proud of.

“It's a really exciting time and I'm massively looking forward to the coming few weeks, and coaching and leading this group of players into the 2017 season and beyond."

Lancashire Chairman Michael Cairns said: “This is a proud day for all concerned at Lancashire County Cricket Club, as we welcome Glen and Mark as head coach and assistant head coach respectively.

"It is very rewarding to recognise and develop from within, and create a model of aspiration for the wider club, especially for the younger players coming through into the first team.

“Their love and pride in the club is matched by their accomplishments and achievements as players, captains and coaches. We are confident in Glen’s vision to make this team a consistent winner and we will all continue to work together to achieve our ultimate goal – bringing success to this great club and county.”