GLOUCESTERSHIRE have signed promising batsmen George Hankins and Brandon Gilmour on two-year deals.

Both players have graduated from the club’s Academy and impressed in Second XI cricket this summer.

The teenagers will spend the winter at the Darren Lehman Cricket Academy in Adelaide before joining up with their Royal London One-Day Cup-winning team mates.

Gloucestershire head coach Richard Dawson said: “The club is excited to have signed Brandon and George onto the professional staff for the next two seasons.

“Both players worked hard during their time with the club’s Academy and performed very well in the 2nd team this season and have been rewarded for this.

“They are both heading off to the Darren Lehman Academy this winter to further progress their games and we will be looking forward to having them back for next season.”

Hankins, 18, enjoyed a stellar 2015, where he broke Kent batsman Daniel Bell-Drummond’s record for most runs in a season at Millfield School.

He also made his highest 2nd XI score with 166 v Warwickshire 2nd XI and played for an England Under 19 Development side against Australia Under 19s.

The Bath CC batsman – who hails from Keynsham - has been with Gloucestershire since the age of 15 and was named Academy Player of the Year at the club’s end of season awards.

George said: “It has always been my ambition to earn a professional contract and to play First Class cricket with Gloucestershire and I am really pleased to have signed.”

Zimbabwe-born Gilmour, 19, made his first 2nd XI hundred against the MCC Young Cricketers earlier this season and captained the side during the latter half of the season An aggressive batsman, he played age group for Berkshire before joining Gloucestershire’s Academy in 2013. He plays his club cricket for Downend CC.

He said: “I am really happy to have signed a professional contract with Gloucestershire.

“Having George sign at the same time will definitely make it easier as he will be going through the same thing.

“I am looking forward to going out to Adelaide. The Darren Lehman Academy has produced a lot of good players – people like Joe Root – so I am hoping it can do the same for me and I can come back good enough to have a long career in county cricket.”