diff --git a/pom.xml b/pom.xml
index 2df075f..3c9e309 100644
--- a/pom.xml
+++ b/pom.xml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
   <modelVersion>4.0.0</modelVersion>
   <groupId>com.diffblue.cover</groupId>
   <artifactId>cover-annotations</artifactId>
-  <version>1.8.0</version>
+  <version>1.9.0</version>
   <packaging>jar</packaging>
 
   <name>Cover Annotations</name>
diff --git a/src/main/java/com/diffblue/cover/annotations/experimental/InTestsUseSpringContext.java b/src/main/java/com/diffblue/cover/annotations/experimental/InTestsUseSpringContext.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8ab619a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/main/java/com/diffblue/cover/annotations/experimental/InTestsUseSpringContext.java
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2025 Diffblue Limited.
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License").
+ * You may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * A copy of the License is located at
+ *
+ *  https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * or in the "license" file accompanying this file. This file is distributed
+ * on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either
+ * express or implied. See the License for the specific language governing
+ * permissions and limitations under the License.
+ */
+package com.diffblue.cover.annotations.experimental;
+
+import static java.lang.annotation.ElementType.PACKAGE;
+import static java.lang.annotation.ElementType.TYPE;
+import static java.lang.annotation.RetentionPolicy.RUNTIME;
+
+import java.lang.annotation.Retention;
+import java.lang.annotation.Target;
+
+/**
+ * This annotation is used to specify that a test requires the usage
+ * of a specific Spring context during testing. It allows the XML file locations of the
+ * Spring context to be specified.
+ *
+ * @deprecated This annotation is experimental and may change or be removed in future releases. Its
+ *     use is discouraged except for internal experimental purposes.
+ */
+@Retention(RUNTIME)
+@Target({PACKAGE, TYPE})
+@Deprecated
+public @interface InTestsUseSpringContext {
+
+  /**
+   * Specifies the locations of XML configuration files for the Spring context
+   * required by a test.
+   */
+  String[] locations();
+}