BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT will kick-off their historic Bostik League premier division campaign with a trip to Tooting and Mitcham United.

The R's are preparing for their first season of step three football after winning the division north title last term.

Now they know that their milestone year will begin with a trip to the Imperial Fields ground, in Morden, on August 12.

Ironically, the Terriors are also new to the premier division after winning last season's division south title.

In other showpiece fixtures, Regent will cross the Suffolk border to Needham Market on August Bank Holiday Monday (the 28th).

They visit fellow Essex side Thurrock - promoted via last season's division north play-offs - on National Non-League Day, October 7.

Brightlingsea and Needham will meet again on Boxing Day, this time at Regent's Taydal Stadium, and James Webster's side then make the trip to Lowestoft Town on New Year's Day.

The season finishes on April 28 when Brightlingsea will make a trip to the Sussex coast to take on Worthing.

The division north fixtures have also been released this morning.

HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS and WITHAM TOWN are both at home on the opening day, against Thurlow Nunn League champions Mildenhall Town and Potters Bar Town respectively.

MALDON AND TIPTREE will travel to Ware.

The August Bank Holiday fixtures see Swifts and Maldon meet in an eye-catching derby, while Witham will take on Barking.

Maldon and Swifts will meet for the return match at Park Drive on Boxing Day, while there will be another Essex derby on New Year's Day as Witham play host to the Jammers.

Swifts start 2018 with a home match against Bowers and Pitsea.

The final day of the season - April 28 - sees Swifts host Soham Town Rangers, Maldon travel to Romford and Witham entertain Tilbury.