PAUL Borrington's impressive form at the top of the Derbyshire order has earned him a new two-year contract.

The 20-year-old right-hander's deal will see him become a full-time professional when he completes his final year at Loughborough University next summer.

Borrington made his first-class debut at the age of 17 in 2005 but had to wait for an extended run of Championship games until mid-July this year.

The game against Gloucestershire, starting today, will be his seventh in a row.

He has scored Championship half-centuries against Northamptonshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire and, earlier in the season, completed a maiden first-class century for Loughborough UCCE at Worcester.

"Paul has shown maturity beyond his years at the top of the order since breaking into the first team and he thoroughly deserves his first professional contract," said head of cricket John Morris.

"With a solid technique and an excellent temperament already in place, Paul can go on to enjoy a very successful career and we will give him every opportunity to achieve that here at Derbyshire."