Flora have extended their sponsorship of the London Marathon until 2009.

However, the Unilever company then plan to end their 14-year-old partnership.

Dave Bedford, London Marathon race director, said: "This has been one of the most successful partnerships of sport and sponsorship.

"We will now start our search for a worthy replacement title sponsor for the 2010 London Marathon."

Next year's Flora London Marathon will be held on Sunday, April 13.

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