Chilton joined Lancashire in 1997 (Getty)

Lancashire batsman Mark Chilton is confident his own game will benefit from his decision to step down as captain at the end of last season.

Chilton, 31, relinquished the role after seeing the county narrowly miss out on winning their first outright championship title since 1934.

He told BBC Radio Lancashire: "I still enjoyed the responsibility I had.

"But I feel a little bit more relaxed now and don't have to worry about everybody else."

I'm enjoying the position I'm in now and looking forward to scoring plenty of runs Mark Chilton

With Australian-born Stuart Law now leading the side, Chilton said he has had time to reflect on his time in charge.

"I'm enjoying it at the moment," he said.

"I was disappointed at the time, but I'm enjoying the position I'm in now and looking forward to scoring plenty of runs."

The county's only success under Chilton came in 2005 when Lancashire were promoted to the First Division of the County Championship.

They also went close in the C&G Trophy Final, as well as twice losing out in the finals day of the Twenty20 Cup.