Nottinghamshire have announced that fast bowler AJ Harris has been awarded a benefit year for 2008.

The 34-year-old former England A seamer joined Notts from Derbyshire in 2000 and was an integral part of the 2005 Championship-winning side with 47 wickets.

He said: “It’s a great honour to have played for Notts for the past eight years and to be awarded a benefit is fantastic.

“The supporters and members of Notts have always been very kind to me – just as the Derbyshire fans were in my time with them - and I am looking forward to giving something back next season.

“It will be a big year for me and the club as we return to Division One. I’m very focused on having a good season and will be spending the winter working on getting fit and ready for action.

“I’ve already been fortunate enough to enjoy a decent career and firmly believe I can play on for another three or four seasons.”

Notts Director of Cricket Mick Newell said: “This is a well-deserved benefit for the whole-hearted and dedicated service AJ has given us.

“He has always given 100 per cent for Derbyshire and Notts and played a major role for us when we won the Championship.

“I wish him all the best for next season and believe he still has a lot to offer us on the field for years to come.”

Harris had an injury-hit season in 2007 but still helped Notts win promotion in the LV County Championship, as well as finish second in the NatWest Pro40 League.

The right-armer has taken 406 first-class wickets in his career at an average of 31.32 and has twice passed 50 wickets in a season.

His name also appears in the record books on two occasions. He became only the third man in history to be dismissed ‘Timed Out’ against Durham UCCE in 2003, and shared a world-record List A ninth-wicket partnership of 155 with Chris Read for Notts against Durham in 2006 - scoring 34 while batting with a runner.