Yorkshire have continued their preparations for the new season by handing new contracts to Alex Lees and Steve Patterson.

Lees, who is currently in South Africa working with the England Lions, has committed his future to the Division One champions until 2019, while Patterson's new deal will expire in December 2016.

"I'm delighted to commit my immediate future to the club," Patterson, who took 36 County Championship wickets last season, revealed on Yorkshire's official website. "The team is performing well and to be part of that success has been special."

Opener Lees played a key role alongside Adam Lyth at the top of the order, scoring 971 runs in the longest format to boost his hopes of gaining international recognition in the near future.

"It has been an incredible year for me and signing a new contract tops it off nicely," the 21-year-old admitted to the club's website. "It is a great honour to play for Yorkshire. To have that privilege over the next few years is very satisfying."

Yorkshire are bidding to win their 33rd County Championship title this season.