SKIPPER Daryl Mitchell says there is no additional pressure on Worcestershire because of their ‘favourites’ tag for promotion next season.

The relegated County for once find themselves among the sides expected to challenge strongly for a place in County Championship Division One.

But Mitchell said the squad always have their own high expectations of performing well every year to deal with, irrespective of the odds of the bookmakers.

The 32-year-old said: “Since I’ve been at the club, we’ve been relegated five times and then been at the bottom end of the bookies’ thoughts for going back up.

“We’ve gone up against the odds a little bit. This time, with the performances we have put in, with the way the young players have performed last year and over the last two seasons, we are up there among the favourites.

“It means people expect a little bit more of us, which adds a slightly different pressure.

“But, to be honest, the pressure is not that much different for us because we always expect to perform well.

“One of our targets has been promotion whenever we’ve been in Division Two, so that will be no different this year.”

Meanwhile, the first event in Mitchell’s 2016 benefit season takes place at Craddock’s Brewery, Stourbridge, on Thursday, January 28.

It includes a tour of the brewery, tasters of some of Craddock’s products and a pie and mash supper together with live music from Wilf’s Carnival Band.

Badsey-born Mitchell has been involved with Worcestershire cricket since he first played for the under-11s, before earning his first professional contract at New Road in 2003.

The event will be attended by Mitchell and tickets are priced at £20.

They can be purchased by calling Mark on 07506 747619 or e-mailing mitchbene fit2016@gmail.com.