Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Simon Lawson is to represent Britain in the World Para Athletics Championships marathon.

Wheelchair racer Lawson, who is from Maryport, has been called up alongside David Weir, Charlotte Ellis, Derek Rae and Johnboy Smith for the event, which will be held on Sunday, April 28 at this year’s London Marathon..

Lawson, who is a member of Carlisle Tri and coached by Ian Thompson, finished 13th in last year’s London Marathon, jumping from 24th in 2017 and recording a time of one hour, 33 minutes and 36 seconds.

Speaking about the team selection to the British Athletics website, head coach Paula Dunn MBE said: “We are delighted that London will once again host the World Championship marathon events in April.

“It provides our marathon athletes with an essential opportunity to compete for world medals, and in doing so taking on the best in the world in their classifications, which will be perfect preparation for next year’s Paralympic Games in Tokyo.

“We have a very strong team with consistent performers who have excelled at this event in recent years and Charlotte who will be representing the British team for the first time, so I am excited to see how they perform in London.”

Lawson will compete in the T54 marathon and look to continue the success he has enjoyed in elite events over recent years which culminated in a place in the 2016 Rio Paralympics squad, finishing 16th in his event after a devastating water pack issue, and a bronze medal at last year’s Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in Australia.

He was also the 2017 men’s wheelchair race champion at the Great North Run.

Weir won last year’s marathon for a record-breaking eighth time in 1:31:15 and will have a place in next year’s Paralympic Games in his sights, while Rae is a World Cup gold medallist and will compete in the T46 classification for athletes with an arm impairment.

Smith is a former Commonwealth Games silver medallist and Ellis will make her debut in the visual impairment class.