The 24-year-old will take on a field of 78 players from all over the country in the event, which starts next Tuesday, including a host of fellow internationals.

Past winners of this title include the newly-married Emma Brown, better known as Emma Duggleby, of Malton & Norton.

Defending champ Edwards has been a member at Ganton for about five years and will find local knowledge invaluable.

Ganton is one of Britain's best inland courses and has hosted the Ryder Cup, the Curtis Cup and the Walker Cup.

England international Edwards said: "Playing at home may put more pressure on me but I should be able to cope – and I should know the greens and the clubs to take better than anyone else.

"I am sure there will be a lot of support from Ganton members who would like to see me win. I shall give it my best shot and see what happens."

Edwards, who may turn pro at the end of this season, has won a host of individual titles, played in the 2006 Curtis Cup and helped Great Britain win the Commonwealth Tournament last year.

The Yorkshire contingent in the championship includes two other members of Ganton. They are Sara Garbutt, a past winner of the English strokeplay championship and Julie Brown, whose husband is the Ganton professional Gary.

The championship begins on Tuesday May 13, and competitors will play an 18-hole strokeplay qualifying round on each of the first two days of the event.

The lowest 32 scores qualify for the matchplay stages of the tournament which start on the Thursday. The final will be played on the Saturday morning.