Disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong has settled a libel action over a newspaper report suggesting he used performance-enhancing drugs, years before he confessed to doing so.

The multiple winner of the Tour de France admitted last year to doping during his career, saying his repeated denials were "one big lie".

The American sued The Sunday Times for £1 million nine years ago for libel following the article, seeking damages from the chief sports writer David Walsh and then deputy sports editor Alan English.

The Sunday Times was forced to settle the claim in 2006 and agreed to pay Armstrong £300,000.

Following his sensational confession the paper launched a High Court bid to return the money, plus £720,000 in costs, and has now reached a settlement.

The newspaper has confirmed Mr Walsh and Mr English had "reached a mutually acceptable final resolution to all claims against Lance Armstrong related to the 2012 High Court proceedings and are entirely happy with the agreed settlement, the terms of the which remain confidential."

Armstrong made his confession in an interview with Oprah Winfrey and has since been stripped by the cycling authorities of his seven Tour de France titles.