STEVE Patterson and Alex Lees have both signed new contracts with Yorkshire.

The two Academy products will remain at Headingley until 2016 and 2019 respectively, which amount to one-year and four-year extensions.

Fast bowler Patterson took 36 wickets and opener Lees scored 971 runs in last year's LV= County Championship title success.

Patterson, 31, said: "After the year we had, I think we're in a great place going forward and it's exciting to know that I'm going to be part of that.

"It's bizarre when I think about it. I remember being a youngster in the Academy and playing my first few second-team games (2002). I joined the Academy at 16 I think, something like that.

"The only difference between me and some of the other lads was that I went to university and didn't take much involvement in the cricket then.

"The year I finished (mathematics at Leeds) uni in 2005, I made my first-class debut and played a few List-A games.

"This will be my 11th year of first-team cricket and if you'd asked me that at 21, I would never have believed it.

"Back then we had Gough, Silverwood, Hoggard and Ryan Sidebottom, before he left to go to Notts. If you look at all those as the local lad who has never been involved with any England team, you wonder if you are going to get an opportunity.

"A decade later, to still be here, be a senior figure in the squad and a regular in the side for the last few years, I feel quite proud."

Lees, currently in South Africa with the England Lions squad, has targeted more Yorkshire silverware in the near future.

The 21-year-old batsman said: "The sign of a great side is to be successful over a period of time. We have to build on what we achieved and hopefully dominate the Championship.

"The new campaign will be a test of our mental strength – but when you look around the dressing room, we have a strong belief that we can continue to prosper among the best teams on the circuit."

Meanwhile, Bradfordian fast bowler Moin Ashraf has been forced home early from his winter of Adelaide grade cricket with East Torrens due to a side strain. He is expected to be out for at least a month.

Yorkshire Cancer Research are Yorkshire's new official charity partner for the next two years.