PAULA Radcliffe has withdrawn from Sunday's World Half Marathon Championships in Birmingham due to tonsillitis.

FALSE DAWN: Paula Radcliffe returned to action in New York but has not raced since (Getty Images)

The three-time champion has endured an injury-ravaged 2009 but romped to victory at the New York City Half Marathon in August on her return from foot surgery.  

But Radcliffe - world record holder over the full distance - was forced to pull out of the World Championship marathon just days later before suffering this latest setback.

"I'm devastated not to be able to compete in Birmingham this weekend," said Radcliffe.

"The World Half Marathon is a great opportunity for our athletes to compete in front of a home crowd and I'm disappointed I can't be part of that.

"It's very important to me to be able to pull on a GB vest and do my best in a major championship, but unfortunately, having developed tonsillitis over the weekend, I'm now on a course of antibiotics."

The 35-year-old will be replaced by Michelle Ross-Cope and will now turn her attention to the New York Marathon on November 1 where she will bid for a fourth title.

"We're obviously hugely disappointed that Paula is unable to compete," said Great Britain's team leader Ian Stewart.

"Had she been fit, there's no doubt she would have been in contention for a medal, but we have a good team of athletes who still have an opportunity to fight for decent team positions, and I hope we can do that."