Former England and Surrey captain Alec Stewart is to take up a coaching position with the county.

Stewart, who retired from the game six years ago, will return to The Oval dressing room on a part-time basis to work under new professional cricket manager Chris Adams.

The 45-year-old has undertaken ambassadorial duties for the county since ending his playing career but will now expand his remit to include coaching, mentoring and consultancy.

He will join another former Surrey and England batsman, Graham Thorpe, on Adams' cricket management team.

Stewart, who played 133 Tests and 170 one-day internationals, said: "I have been a Surrey man all my life and am relishing the opportunity to get back involved in a cricketing role at the club.

"We have some bright young talent on the staff and I hope I can help them wring out every drop of their ability to secure success for both Surrey and England over years to come."

Stewart, who will specialise in batting and wicketkeeping coaching, played 587 times for Surrey in all competitions, scoring 24,683 runs and taking 665 catches.

He will combine the new role with his business and media commitments.

Adams said: "A true great such as Alec Stewart should always be involved at his club and I could not be happier to welcome him onto our coaching staff.

"I saw Alec do some coaching when I was at Sussex last year and getting him involved in the first-team set-up was one of my key goals when I started at Surrey.

"He is still a model professional and utterly exemplifies the excellence I want my players to aspire to."