The 33-year-old holds a number of club records, including the most wickets (518) and most first-class appearances (141).

He joined the county in 1991 after four seasons with Northamptonshire and was part of the team which entered the County Championship for the first time the following year.

Brown played one Test match for England against Pakistan at The Oval in 1996, taking one wicket in each innings in a 164-run defeat.

"Simon has been a great servant to Durham County Cricket Club, but unfortunately he has had a series of injuries over the last two seasons and as a result we have had to take the difficult decision to not renew his contract," said coach Martyn Moxon.

Pratt award

The club has also released all-rounder Marc Symington.

Opening batsman Gary Pratt has, meanwhile, been named the club's Player of the Year, who has scored more than 1,000 runs in Championship and one-day cricket this summer.

It completes a family double with elder brother Andy having won the same award 12 months ago.