STEVE CRAM has agreed to take on an advisory role with British Athletics as part of the organisation's Endurance Programme.

Cram, who was one of the world's leading 800m and 1,500m runners in the 1980s, will act as a key advisor for guiding and mentoring middle and long-distance athletes and coaches.

The North-Easterner will work under British Athletics' head of endurance, Barry Fudge, and join Paula Radcliffe, who already works in a similar role.

Cram will hope to build on the work that already sees some of Britain's leading coaches working alongside some of the best training programmes in the world, such as Nike's Oregon Project, which is run by Alberto Salazar.

“It's an exciting time for the British Athletics Endurance Programme, and it's great to be part of it,” said Cram, who already coaches Morpeth Harrier Laura Weightman, who was a 1,500m finalist at the 2012 Olympics in London.

“Barry, Alberto, Paula and the team have been making good progress over the last six months, and everything is on track for success as we head towards Rio 2016 (Olympics) and London 2017 (World Championships).”

Fudge added: “I am delighted Steve has joined the British Athletics Endurance Programme. Steve brings a massive amount of experience both as an athlete and more recently as a coach.

“He will provide coach mentorship and technical expertise within the programme. This is a further addition to a number of changes made in the last six months as we work towards our long-term vision of British endurance running being successful on the Olympic and world stages in order to inspire and motivate runners of all abilities.”