FORMER England coach David Lloyd has predicted Durham will win the County Championship First Division within the next decade after becoming a big fan of Martyn Moxon's side.

Lloyd remembers the days in the early nineties when talk was rife of Durham becoming the new member on the first-class scene - news that was met in some quarters, most notably by former England captain Michael Atherton, with disdain.

But, 12 years on since Durham first stepped onto the county scene, they are finally showing signs of encouragement and they headed into yesterday's first day against promotion rivals Essex top of Division Two.

And now, as the rest of the country finally sit up and take notice of developments at Riverside, former England and Lancashire batsman Lloyd expects rapid progress to continue for years to come in the North-East.

"Durham will get better, better and better because sides are now wary of them and I can see them going onto win things. The Championship? Why not, in a few years," said Lloyd, commentating for Sky Sports throughout the NatWest Series and he will be at Riverside for England's One Day International with Australia on June 23.

"Teams breed on success and that's what they are enjoying this season.

"They should be able to keep that going and I don't see any reason why they can't.

"Dale Benkenstein has been a real missing link for them this season. And it has been his real professionalism that has helped to a great degree. He is showing some of the younger lads how to do things and that's had an effect on everyone around the place."

Having spent years delivering his incessant assessments on cricket - hence the reason he has become known as Bumble - Lloyd is perfectly placed to issue his verdict on Durham's performances.

He was working for BBC Radio when then chairman Don Robson had the idea of forming the region's first county side.

And Lloyd believes it is those, like Robson, who were behind the formation of Durham Country Cricket Club and the building of Riverside that should feel the most proud today.

"I'm really delighted for those guys who kicked it all off - Don Robson and the like," said Lloyd. "It was very political at the time but he made sure he got what he wanted.

"It was a great vision - from Don and former captain Mike Roseberry - to get county cricket here and you have got to take your hats off to them for doing that when you look at what's happening now.

"Atherton was one of those to say it was a waste of time and it's great that the current crop are proving it was for the best."