FORMER Gloucestershire seamer Jon Lewis believes a move away from Bristol may be in the club's best interests following the protracted ground redevelopment saga.

The veteran swing bowler was perhaps the first victim of the budget cuts borne out of the uncertainty hanging over the club regarding their future in the city.

Lewis, who spent 17 seasons with Gloucestershire, left the club for Surrey at the end of the season because no contract offer was forthcoming at Nevil Road.

He echoed the views of club chief executive Tom Richardson and captain Alex Gidman by calling the news a 'massive disappointment' for the club.

The former England bowler, who played one Test and 13 one-day internationals while with Gloucestershire, has also added weight to the view that the club could seek a new home in the county, with Gloucester mooted as an alternative.

"I think a lot of players and former players would be disappointed to see the club move because they have a really strong bond with the ground," Lewis said.

"However I do believe players will want to see the club move forward and for that to happen the club has to be financially successful."

Gloucestershire chief executive Tom Richardson explained last week that a move to Gloucester could be seen as a possibility, with the county considering all options.

Crowds are always strong in the north of the county with sell-out crowds a feature of the annual Cheltenham Cricket Festival and during two-years of Twenty20 fixtures at Archdeacon Meadow in Gloucester.

And Lewis admits there would be a number of positives to the club seeking a new home north of Bristol.

"When we played at Cheltenham it was very popular but it is a once-a-year festival," he said.

"It is very hard to judge from that whether people would turn up every week.

"However there are a lot of sports fans in Gloucestershire and Gloucester is in the heart of the county

"I can see pros and cons. What I would like to see is the club strong and safe for the future.

"I spent a long time there and I want it to have a successful future.

"I am sure in the long term they will be successful but in the short term this has been a big blow."