ESSEX have announced that Paul Walter has signed a one-year contract extension which will see him remain at the club until the end of the 2018 campaign.

All-rounder Walter, from Basildon, signed his first professional contract in June having impressed the coaching staff and has shown enough development in recent weeks to be awarded an extension.

After taking the new ball in the latter stages of the NatWest T20 Blast competition and then making his first-class debut against Derbyshire in August, the 22-year-old will look to further press his claims in the first team picture in the coming years.

And Walter was thrilled to sign an extension.

“I am delighted to extend my contract at the club,” he said. "Although I haven't been part of the staff for long it has always been a dream of mine to play for Essex so the opportunity to do that for a further year was something I jumped at."