KENT golfer Karen Stupples is expecting her first child.

The 33-year-old former Women's British Open champion, who now lives in Florida, has announced that she is expecting a baby with her American partner and caddie, Bobby Inman, next April.

Karen's father Alan, who lives in Deal, said: "We are all obviously delighted. I spoke to Karen on Monday after she had been for a scan, and she said everything was going really well.

"It's one of the reasons why Karen did not come back to play in the Ladies' English Open at Chart Hills. She has only got two more tournaments left this year, one in Korea and one in the States, and then that will be it until next summer."