Snape captained the Foxes in their Twenty20 Cup win in 2006

Leicestershire spinner Jeremy Snape has announced he is retiring from professional cricket.

The 35-year-old will make his final appearance in the Twenty20 Cup match against Nottinghamshire on 24 June.

Snape told BBC Radio Leicestershire: "The club are keen to move forward with some youngsters and I thought it would be a good time to hang the boots up.

"I was hoping to play another couple of years but I think it's a sensible time to step aside."

Snape joined Leicestershire from Gloucestershire five years ago and was part of the Foxes Twenty20 Cup winning teams in 2004 and 2006.

He has played 10 one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match for England.

Snape, who won eight domestic trophies during his career, will now concentrate on running his sport and business consultancy service.

He began his first-class career at Northamptonshire in 1992 before joining Gloucestershire for the 1999 season, where he played in four Lord's finals in 1999 and 2000.

The Stoke-born cricketer made his England debut on their tour to Zimbabwe in 2001 and made his final one-day appearance for his country the following year.

Jeremy's been instrumental in the success the club's enjoyed in Twenty20 cricket Leicestershire chief executive David Smith

He also joined up with England in the winter of 2006/07 as a sports psychologist, to help with the team's World Cup preparations.

Leicestershire chief executive David Smith said he was sad to see Snape leaving.

"Jeremy's done an excellent job for us, he's been here since 2003 and captained the club for two seasons.

"He's been instrumental in the success the club's enjoyed in Twenty20 cricket.

"We were keen to ensure Jeremy could have a final game at Grace Road, he feels there's an opportunity for us to bring some younger players in.

"It's his testimonial and the club will do everything we can to support him, he's a great servant and he's well liked within the club."

Snape recently had a spell working with Shane Warne as a coach at Indian Premier League winners Rajasthan Royals.