Hereford pole-vaulter Irie Hill has returned to competition after her enforced absence with a stress fracture in August.

With the Olympics just around the corner, Hill is preparing for 2004 Down Under in the supposed warmth of an Australian summer.

Competing in the annual Box Hill Gift, held in Melbourne, Hill took out first place in the overall women's competition.

She has been invited to compete at the Zatopek Grand Prix at Olympic Park in Melbourne today (Thursday).