LANCASHIRE have appointed England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff as vice captain for the 2002 season.

The 24-year-old, who impressed in England's recent Test series defeat in India, will serve under new skipper and fellow tourist Warren Hegg.

Flintoff, who returns to India this week with England's one-day squad, said: "This is an honour for me and I'm looking forward to working with Warren and the cricket manager Mike Watkinson.

"It should be an interesting season. The team is going through a transitional period, but there is still plenty of experience around and some good young players knocking on the door. Hopefully we can help to bring them through."

Flintoff first broke into the Lancashire first team as a 17-year-old and made his Test debut against South Africa in 1998.

His promotion in the Lancashire ranks comes following the club's decision not to re-appoint John Crawley as captain.