Michael Vaughan [Images] has decided to step down as England [Images] Test captain in the wake of the series defeat by South Africa [Images], he told a news conference in London [Images] on Sunday.

"Today I have decided to stand down as England captain. To be honest it is the hardest decision I have ever had to make but also the easiest," said Vaughan.

His decision after five years as captain followed England's five-wicket loss to South Africa on Saturday.

That result left the hosts trailing 2-0 in the series, with one Test remaining, and inflicted the first back-to-back defeats of Vaughan's captaincy.

England's one-day captain Paul Collingwood [Images], 32, is also stepping down, the England and Wales Cricket Board told the news conference at the team's training base in Loughborough.

Vaughan had been replaced as one-day captain by Collingwood in 2007.

NEW CAPTAIN

England's new captain will be named at a news conference on Monday along with the squad for the final South Africa Test.

The 33-year-old Vaughan said he wants to carry on playing for his country, although he would be unavailable for the Test starting on Thursday so he can take a short break from the game.

"I am giving away the job I have loved for five years, put my heart and soul into the job but my mind has told me to pack it in," added Vaughan, who was close to tears.

He had been under pressure due to his own poor form, having scored just 40 runs in five innings. However, Vaughan was confident he could recover his best form with the bat.

"I feel if I kept going [as captain] my career could come to an abrupt end. Hopefully, this decision will prolong my career. I am going to carry on playing -- I believe there are a lot more runs in me, I hope this decision will help that."

Vaughan took over the captaincy in 2003 and two years later led England to a first Ashes victory over Australia [Images] since 1987.

In 2004 he helped England achieve a record of eight successive Test wins.