NICOLA Sanders has lost her lottery funding after failing to recapture her best form following a series of injuries.

The Bucks 400m runner won silver at the World Championships in 2007 and competed at the Olympics in 2008.

But although she was selected for Team GB in the 4x400m relays, she didn’t run at the Olympic stadium.

She is one of a list of high-profile victims dropped by UK Athletics that also includes Paula Radcliffe, Steph Twell and Marlon Devonish.

The 30-year-old, who has just begun her winter training schedule, will now have to continue her athletics career outside of the World Class Performance Programme.

UK Athletics performance director Neil Black said: “Being part of the World Class Performance Plan is a privilege and not a right and athletes selected will be expected to fulfil tough performance criteria.

“We have identified a very talented group of athletes for support over the coming year and I am confident that we can build on the success of the last Olympic and Paralympic cycle starting with the European Indoors in Gothenburg in March.

"Accountability is at the heart of this programme and athletes who have not met performance criteria over the last year will not receive continued support. It is undoubtedly tough, but that is performance sport."