Darcey Bussell is the Royal Ballet's only female British principal dancer

Bussell, 36, says the current season will be her last as a principal dancer with the company as she wants to spend more time with her family.

She said: "I have always wanted to end my full-time career still dancing the full classical repertoire at the standard to which I aspire."

Bussell, who joined the Royal Ballet in 1987, will return as a guest dancer.

She said the decision to leave had "not been easy".

"I am devoted to the company and always will be," she said.

Bussell, who became the Royal Ballet's youngest principal at the age of 20, had previously declared an intention to step down at 35 but continued for another year.