COOPER-Avon Tyres are looking forward to next season in the Southern Counties League after being gifted a surprise promotion.

Mark Simmons' side finished this campaign runner up in Dorset and Wilts Division One and were set for a promotion play-off against other regional runners-up Weymouth tomorrow.

But the Dorset side opted not to travel for the decider and with third place Bridport also turning down a shot at promotion, CATS have been handed automatic entry to the league above.

Simmons is delighted to have escaped the Dorset and Wilts League having already made his feelings about the new regionalised structure very clear.

He said: "It is all a bit of a joke in this league. The league was split into north and south and it has really diluted the quality of the league.

"It will be a great experience for us to play in the better league and although we know it will be a very difficult test we are looking forward to the challenge.

"I could get used to winning promotion without having to play a game as it certainly makes my job easier."

CATS will join Dorset and Wilts champions Corsham in the Southern Counties League and Simmons is under no illusions as to the challenge ahead.

He said: "The problem has been no-one has been able to prepare for the league above because of the poor quality of the Dorset and Wilts League.

"First it will be tough to acclimatise to the amount of travelling involved and also it is such a massive gulf in class. Our aim is definitely to avoid immediate relegation but as Bradford and Minety have shown this season, it won't be an easy task.

"We will be looking to add some experience to the squad during the summer because the promotion may have come one or two years early for some of our youngsters."