DARYL Mitchell has given another demonstration of his loyalty to Worcestershire by signing a new four-year contract.

The long-serving opening batsman, who had two years remaining of his current deal, has committed himself to the County until the end of the 2020 campaign.

Badsey-born Mitchell, who was 33 last month, made his Worcestershire debut in all formats of the game in 2005 after coming through the Academy ranks at New Road.

The former captain has established himself as a key member of the side during the past decade, scoring 10,284 first class runs at an average of nearly 40 with 24 centuries, 2,787 List A runs and 1,872 T20 runs and captaining the side for six seasons.

Director of cricket Steve Rhodes is delighted to be able to call on Mitchell's expertise and experience for at least another four years.

Rhodes said: "We haven't got lots of very experienced players like Mitch so to secure his future for the next four years, I think is really key for the club going forward.

"He also is in a time when he can now focus totally on his batting and senior role within the group.

"It is important for us to get the right balance of maturity of players and, as we all know, Daryl is a very mature player in all the formats.

"Averaging nearly 40 is no mean feat and anyone who can achieve that has had a really good crack at things. If he can maintain that form in this next part of his career, we will be delighted."

Lifelong Worcestershire fan Mitchell, who has just completed his 2016 benefit year with the County, said he is hungry for more success at New Road.

He said: "I'm 33 but I've still got more goals I want to achieve. I've won the one trophy (Pro40 League) and it will be great to win more silverware and that is a burning ambition.

"From an individual point of view, I don't think you really set out to achieve personal goals but I went past 10,000 first class runs last season and I should go past 10,000 for Worcestershire next season.

"I just want to keep trying to get as many runs as I can across all the formats for Worcestershire and get that career average above 40.

"I had a good second half to last season and definitely feel as if I've got a lot to offer and I'm sure I'm going to score plenty more hundreds across the formats."

Mitchell is delighted to be staying at the club which has always been close to his heart for another four years.

He said: "It's always been my aim to be a one club man and stay here and another four years is fantastic. I'm really pleased.

"The contract takes me to 36 and is nice to have that security and by the end of the contract I will have been 18 years on the staff - and hopefully sneak a couple more on the end of that!"