WORCESTERSHIRE president Lord Mervyn King of Lothbury has taken on a new role as a director at Premier League bottom club Aston Villa.

His deep love of Worcestershire is well known, stretching back to when he first watched the club during the Championship-winning years of 1964 and 1965.

But he also has a passion for Villa and is a life-long supporter of the Barclays Premier League club.

King said: "It is a privilege to be asked to serve as a director of this great club.

"I watched my first match at Villa Park more than 55 years ago and have experienced the highs and the lows since then.

"I shall do my best to help the rebuilding of Aston Villa Football Club as together we return it to its position as one of the top clubs in the world."

Villa chairman Steve Hollis said: "I was delighted when Mervyn agreed to join the Board. His dedicated support for the club is well known.

"Mervyn successfully steered the Bank of England through the most turbulent economic headwinds in living memory and his appointment to the board is a huge boost as we plan our path back to more successful times."

Meanwhile, King will be present when Worcestershire hold their annual general meeting in the Graeme Hick Pavilion on March 16.