ASHLEY Giles says there is no reason for Lancashire’s squad to fear Division One cricket next summer as they look to rid themselves of the yo-yo tag.

The ECB have released the fixture list for the 2016 summer, with eight of the nine teams in Division One being Test match counties, including promoted Lancashire and Surrey.

It promises to be one of the strongest top-flight competitions in recent memory, with Lancashire starting at home to Nottinghamshire on Sunday April 17 and ending away to Warwickshire on September 20.

The Red Rose, relegated twice in the last four seasons, face champions Yorkshire on May 29 at Headingley and August 13 at Emirates Old Trafford – the latter being a Saturday start.

“It is a step up, and there is a bit of unknown for a fair number of this squad,” said Giles, Lancashire’s cricket director and head coach.

“It is going to be a tough division, but it is not always the sides you expect to do well who win it.

“We need to respect it, but not fear it. We need to be mentally prepared for it.

“Our number one aim has to be to consolidate our position in Division One. But we can't go in it just to survive, that would be horrendous. We have to go in it to win games of cricket.”

Lancashire will play their out-ground matches at Southport and Blackpool next summer, with no match at Liverpool.

The Red Rose county host Durham at Southport in the Championship on July 16, and have signed a three-year staging agreement with the Liverpool Competition club to host a four-day match a year there until 2018.

“In recent years, Southport have really impressed us with their desire and enthusiasm in staging Lancashire fixtures,” said Lancashire chief executive Daniel Gidney.

“By offering this guarantee of fixtures up to and including 2018, it will enable the club to embark on a programme of refurbishment and facilities upgrades.

“They are committing themselves to raising a significant amount in funds over the three years, and we are really delighted by that ambition.”

Lancashire face Nottinghamshire in the Royal London one-day Cup at Blackpool on June 12.

Lancashire and Yorkshire will meet three times in both limited overs competitions – on Friday, June 3 at home and Friday, July 1 away in the NatWest T20 Blast. The Lightning also host the Vikings in the RL50 under lights on Wednesday, June 15.