Sears appointed GB captain

Sears - who is also the Lawn Tennis Association's (LTA) head coach of women's tennis - will take charge of the team ahead of the Europe/Africa Group 1 clash with Bulgaria on April 18th and 19th.

"This is a period of massive change in British tennis and I am excited to be a part of it," said Sears, who has also coached Daniela Hantuchova in the past.

"We have a lot of hard work to over the coming years to get women's tennis delivering at the highest level.

"One of my first jobs is to identify those players with the drive and commitment necessary to thrive in a Fed Cup environment and prepare them for April's tie.

"The team came close to promotion this year and we will be looking for an even bigger effort from the players in 2007."