Colchester's most successful-ever track athlete is hoping that a lack of funding won’t hamper her bid to bring further Olympic prestige to her home town.

Despite setbacks to her indoor running programme this year, Sarah Claxton is determined to have a speedy 2011 that will catapult her into the Great Britain team for the London Games next year.

A lack of funding was part of the reason why she decided to shelve her indoor plans this year, but the 31-year-old sprint hurdler from Monkwick is hoping her finances won’t hold her back for the outdoor season.

She said: “A lack of funding has hampered my season as I couldn’t pay to get things like a massage when I needed it at the start of the indoor season.

“I couldn’t get rid of the rubbish in my legs, which affected my times and I won’t be able to get any warm weather training, which I know would help me a lot.

“But I still feel confident and if I’m able to run quickly this year then I know I’ll be OK for the Olympics next year."

See the Essex County Standard for more on this story.