The man who made athletics history in Oxford when he became the first person to break the four-minute mile will start the Sport Relief Mile race in the city next month.

Sir Roger Bannister, who broke the four-minute mile at the Iffley Road track in 1954 and went on to become a track and field legend, will start the event at the West Oxford Community Centre on Saturday, July 15.

A national event held at various towns and cities across the country, the Sport Relief Mile is part of the Comic Relief initiative.

In association with BBC Sport, it aims to raise money for children in some of the world's poorest countries as well as for vulnerable people in the UK.

The last Sport Relief Mile, held in 2004, attracted more than 80,000 entrants nationwide, including Princes William and Harry.

In Oxford, the race starts at 4pm, and will be part of the West Oxford fun day, which will also include music, stalls, children's entertainment, food, crazy golf, Irish dancing and fairground rides.

Entrants will run three laps of the recreation ground behind West Oxford Community Centre, Botley Road.

Richard Grant, one of the event organisers, said: "We are extremely pleased to have Sir Roger Bannister starting the mile for us.

"You don't have to go as fast as him, but what a great experience it will be to be sent on your way by Sir Roger."

John Cole, a partner at Morgan Cole Solicitors which is sponsoring the Oxford run with Hays Construction and Property, said: "This is a great opportunity for everyone to take time out of their busy schedules and contribute to a worthy cause."

Anyone wishing to take part can get sponsorship forms and information packs from the Sport Relief website. To find out more, and to enter, visit www.sportrelief.com