Dickson made nine Premiership starts this season (Getty)

Newcastle Falcons have confirmed that scrum-half Lee Dickson will join National League One champions Northampton at the end of the season.

Dickson, 23, came through the academy ranks to make his full debut and has represented the England Saxons side.

"Scrum half is a position in which we have a wealth of talent right now. Lee was out of contract at the end of this season," said acting coach Steve Bates.

"I would like to thank Lee for his contribution and wish him well."

Dickson scored three tries for the Falcons in his 57 first-team appearances, all coming in the European Challenge Cup, and has made nine Guinness Premiership starts this season.

I think Lee can see what we're trying to achieve at Northampton in terms of getting a good English core Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder

Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder said he was delighted to strengthen his squad with another scrum-half.

''I know Lee quite well. He's going to be in competition with Ben Foden so we've got two really lively scrum-halves," he told BBC Radio Northampton.

"It's still a big thing to get players to move clubs but I think Lee can see what we're trying to achieve at Northampton in terms of getting a good English core and supplementing it with overseas experienced signings.

"There's still one scrum-half position to be made clear and we'll be outlining that in the near future."