Winchester athlete Louise Damen will be in a strong female field at this year's London Marathon.

Damen, who ran her personal best 2:30 at the 2011 London Marathon, will be competing in the event for the first time since 2012, when she finished in 2:31:37.

She is in an elite field including defending champion Jemima Sumgong and Ethiopia's world champion Mare Dibaba.

The distinguished line-up also includes Sumgong's fellow Kenyan Mary Keitany, who will be aiming to become only the fourth woman to win the London Marathon three times after completing a hat-trick of New York Marathon titles in November.

Other runners include Florence Kiplagat, the 2016 Chicago champion and half marathon world record holder, last year's Tokyo Marathon champion Helah Kiprop.

Olympic 5,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot will make her marathon debut at the age of 33.

Overall, the field announced for London on Tuesday features four women who have broken the two hours 20 minute barrier.

Damen will be joined by fellow Brits Alyson Dixon, Charlotte Purdue and Susan Partridge,Tracy Barlow, Jwenny Spink and Tish Jones.

"This is a stellar field and everyone who is anyone in women’s marathon running will be in London on 23 April,” said event director Hugh Brasher.

“We look forward to a fantastic race and the London crowds are certain to be out in force to cheer home the world’s greatest runners.”

“London is the marathon every runner wants to win,” said Sumgong in a statement. “I can’t wait to return to defend my title.”