The 42-year-old still had a year of his contract to run but paid the price for failing to secure promotion in either the County Championship or the one-day Norwich Union League.

"Bob has been very dedicated and committed to his role and has contributed a great deal to Northamptonshire over the years.

"However, the committee feels that playing performances and results over the past couple of seasons haven't justified their support and the significant financial investment that has been made," said chief executive Steve Coverdale.

"The club will be looking actively for a replacement over the next few months, but at the same time we will be reviewing our coaching and management operations.

"It is entirely possible that we will be redefining roles, so that whoever is eventually appointed may have different responsibilities from those which the Director of Cricket has assumed over the past four years."

Carter made 60 first-class appearances for the club between 1978 and 1985 with modest returns and was a member of the coaching staff in the early 1990s before leaving for a spell in New Zealand cricket with Canterbury.

He returned to the County Ground before the start of the 1999 season following the departure of John Emburey.