OXFORDSHIRE'S new ladies' captain Justine Lawrence is looking to inspire the county's players to new heights.

And the Henley member believes she has a tough act to follow after taking over from Oxford Ladies' Margaret Hookham.

Lawrence said: "Margaret's policy from the very start of her captaincy was to give blossoming young talent their chance.

"She introduced juniors to first-team competition at a young age, which has paid off with the successful development of many Oxfordshire junior girls.

"Over recent years, the standard of ladies' golf in Oxfordshire has improved dramatically, and I am really looking forward to working with the squad as it promises to be an exciting season.

"We're such a friendly and welcoming county and I want to encourage more active support for the county teams.

"I want to give players that added boost to perform at their highest level."

Lawrence, who plays off five, has been Henley champion ten times and is the course record holder.

She has twice won Oxfordshire's Bamberger and Lucy Davies trophies and has been county second-team captain for the last two years.

Lawrence's wider sporting interest has seem her become Henley Rugby Club's sales and marketing executive.

Meanwhile, Frilford Heath's Jane Pezaro has taken over as county president from Oxford Ladies' Anne Troughton.

Pezaro, a former Frilford captain, said: "I feel very honoured and enthusiastic at being given this opportunity to serve on the county executive committee.

"Now that I have plenty of time, it offers me a chance to give something back to the game I love and have been playing for nearly 50 years."