NICKY Hunt's emergence as one of the rising stars of the Premiership has been rewarded with a new four-year contract.

Sam Allardyce has secured the home-grown 20-year-old on a long-term deal after seeing him burst on to the Reebok scene in impressive fashion last season with a string of mature performances against high-class opposition.

Following Kevin Nolan from the academy ranks into the first team, Hunt earned widespread acclaim for his aggressive defending and determined attacking -- qualities that were acknowledged when he picked up Wanderers' young player of of the year award.

The Westhoughton full-back, who went to Hesketh Fletcher High School in Atherton, is living the dream of playing for the team he supported as a boy and enjoying every minute of it.

"I was more than happy to commit myself to my hometown club for the next four years," Hunt said from the team's training camp in the Italian Alpine resort of Bormio.

"It's good to get contract talks out of the way and concentrate on preparing for next season."

Hunt, who set himself a target of 10 Premiership starts when he made his top flight debut in the league opener at Manchester United last August, went on to make 32 senior appearances, making the number two berth his own and winning England U21s honours .

Wanderers have high hopes that the local boy will make the top grade, but Hunt knows his big challenge will come next season when he will be aiming to live up to his potential.

Back to full fitness after surgery on the shoulder he dislocated three times in 12 months, he voiced his determination to get back in action when he added: "Although it was good to have a rest, I'm raring to go and looking forward to next season.

"The challenge for us all is to improve upon last season's efforts."