Scientists have calculated how a woman could be the first to run a mile in under four minutes, emulating Roger Bannister who accomplished the feat more than 70 years ago.

Bannister became the first athlete to break the barrier when he completed a mile in three minutes and 59.4 seconds.

No woman has ever managed it but the world record was set in 2023 by Kenyan middle- and long-distance runner Faith Kipyegon, who is also the current world record holder for the 1,500 metres and the former world record holder for the 5,000m.

Her mile time of 4:07.64 requires a 3.19 per cent faster pace to achieve the threshold.

Prof Roger Kram, of the University of Colorado Boulder, calculated what conditions she would need to achieve this.

His calculations revealed the level of wind resistance Kipyegon faced would need to be cut by 72 per cent if she were to achieve the feat.