OXFORD City star Hannah England will use the Samsung Diamond League meeting in Birmingham as a springboard for her season.

The 24-year-old British international (pictured) will compete in the 1500m in the Aviva Birmingham Grand Prix at Alexander Stadium on July 10.

With the UK trials for the World Championships taking place on the same track three weeks later, England hopes to hit form at the right time.

England will be part of world class field, including Kenyan Olympic and double Commonwealth champion Nancy Langat, in the West Midlands’ first Diamond League event.

She said: “Obviously I’ve competed in Birmingham a lot before for the UK Championships, but this is the first time that it’s played host to the Samsung Diamond League and that is really exciting.

“I’m anticipating the 1,500m being packed out with big names.

“But I’ll go out there and give it a try and hopefully come away with a result that I’m pleased with.

“I’m planning to compete at the Aviva UK Trials and Championships in Birmingham as well so this event will be a perfect warm up to that – hopefully with a great crowd to cheer us on.”

After a decent indoor season, which saw her compete in the European Indoor Championships, England is yet to race outdoors.

She said: “The Samsung Diamond League is playing a role in my season, it’s great to get up against the big guns.

“I’m really plea-sed with how I’m progressing and it’s all a build up to 2012, so it’s great.

“This year so far I’ve only competed indoors, so I’ll be aiming to start competing well on the outdoors track, lining me up for the rest of the season.”

FORMER Radley athlete Hatti Dean finished sixth in the 3000m steeplechase at the Samsung Diamond League meeting in Rome.

Dean, 29, clocked 9mins 37.95secs in the race which was won by Kenya’s Milcah Chemos Cheiywa in 9.12.89.