Stupples is playing in her first event since giving birth in April

Three Britons share the lead going into the final day of the English Open after round two at Chart Hills in Kent.

Karen Stupples, Becky Brewerton and Eleanor Pilgrim are all on three under with Sweden's Cecilia Ekelundh completing a four-way tie at the top.

Of the leading pack, Pilgrim of Wales had the round of the day, carding a four-under-par 68.

England's Laura Davies is a shot adrift while overnight leader Linda Wessberg of Sweden is on level par after a 78.

Stupples had a bogey on her second hole but three birdies on the back nine, including one at the last, gives her hope of claiming her first tour win since the British Open in 2004.

"The 18th is a tough hole and the putt broke a lot," she said. "I was just trying to nestle it in there close and luckily it fell in. I'm very happy with that.

"By the time I got round to the end I was starting to get a little numb. It was very windy all day and made putting very difficult and obviously towards the end of the day the greens start getting a little bit bumpy and that made holing the four or five-footers tougher.

"I knew I was hitting the ball well. I was a little concerned about how much rust I would have out there but for some reason I've held up pretty well - maybe it's because I'm fresh after having so much time off."

England's Laura Davies had held a one-shot lead at four-under par having started three shots adrift of Wessberg.

But as winds reached near gale-force strength, she carded three straight bogeys on her back nine to end the day on two under.

"It was an up-and-down day for everybody," she said. "The wind was so horrible out there.

"I started sneezing, my eyes were itching and it really affected me and I dropped three shots on the trot. So I was glad to come back with one under from there.