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Worcestershire have signed Essex all-rounder Ben Allison permanently on a three-year deal.

Allison has twice been on loan at the club and was part of the side that sealed promotion to Division One of the County Championship last summer.

The 24-year-old returned to Worcestershire for two matches in June, which included a victory over Durham that helped to ease their relegation fears.

He has played in 14 first-class, 20 List A and 25 T20 matches during his career.

"I really enjoyed my time at New Road last summer and playing a part in the final few games," Allison said.

"I had no hesitation in coming back this summer for another spell and the win at Durham in the Championship was massive in terms of the fight to stay in the top division - hopefully the lads can achieve that in the final part of the season.

"It's a tremendous dressing room in terms of making you feel welcome and enabling someone new to slot in."

Allison took five wickets and made 134 runs, including a career-best score of 75, during his three-game spell at New Road last summer.

"[Ben] is a really brave cricketer and has a real team ethic about him," said Pears head coach Alan Richardson.

"His batting has a lot of potential. He has scored some first-class fifties and shaped up really nicely for us last year.

"His fielding is high-class, both in the outfield, and also slip catching, so he is going to add a lot to us."