SOUTHAMPTON will host a full marathon next year for the first time since the 1980s, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Organisers of the ABP Half Marathon have been given permission to hold a full marathon in 2017 after council leaders backed the plans for a 26.2-mile event.

Race director Chris Rees told the Daily Echo: "This year's event was the second year we have done it and it has been growing. In the first year we had 6,500 take part and this year it was 8,000 so we were looking to keep extending the number of people who take part.

"It seemed like a good idea to get people into a full marathon and we wanted to see what the level of interest would be and the level of interest was huge.

"We spent an awful lot of time going through what is the best for the city and have made a couple of major changes to the route."

The full marathon will see runners take on two laps of the half marathon course.

But the route has been reversed, meaning those taking part will be able to take on the Itchen Bridge in the final stages of the race. Burgess Road has been removed from the route.

Organisers hope that around 5,000 people will take part in next year's ABP Full Marathon, a further 5,000 in the half marathon and around 2,000 in the 10k event.

Mr Rees added: "It will be great for businesses. the local economy and hotels as people come to stay in the city for the event."

He also assured participants who have already signed up to the ABP Half Marathon but want to take part in the full marathon that they will not have to pay for entering again, but will only have to pay the difference between the two events to enter the full race.

Alastair Welch, port director at ABP Southampton, said: "We are delighted to be supporting the first marathon in the city for around 30 years, and following the popularity of the ABP Half Marathon and 10k races we believe this will be a hugely successful event.

"We're looking forward to involving even more local businesses, charities and raising funds for causes across the region as well as encouraging keen runners to take part and see the best that Southampton has to offer."

You can sign up for the marathon at www.abpsouthamptonhalf.co.uk

Cllr Satvir Kaur, Southampton City Council's cabinet member for communities, culture and leisure, said: "It is really good that we will be able to offer something to people of all abilities so they can really push themselves.

"It is really encouraging that lots of people wanted it in Southampton. Our sporting events in the city have gone from strength to strength and are some of the best in the country.

"The ABP Half Marathon, 10k and the full marathon will bring people in the city together and encourage people to leave their cars at home and get their trainers on."