NICOLA Sanders has retired from athletics due to persistent injury problems.

The former world and European indoor gold medallist has been dogged with injuries throughout the last couple of years and has now been forced to admit defeat.

The Amersham-born Windsor, Slough, Eton and Hounslow athlete represented Great Britain in two Olympic Games and was part of the England team at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

She tweeted this week: "I've had a brilliant time during my athletics career through all the ups and downs but the time had come to hang up my spikes.

"There are so many people to thank including coaches, team mates, physios etc - too many to thank on here but I'll get round to you all.

"Thank you for all your lovely messages of support and memories of my career."

Sanders, 32, took gold in the 400m at the 2007 European Indoor Championships and as part of the 2012 4x400m relay team at the World Indoor Championships in Istanbul in 2012.

She also claimed a silver and two bronze medals at the World Championships racing for Great Britain and at one point was ranked third in the world for the 400m.

Sanders has revealed she plans to work with the Sky Sports Living for Sport programme, which encourages children to get into sport.