Bedford's Paula Radcliffe to lose lottery funding

Bedford athlete Paula Radcliffe has been removed from UK Athletics' World Class Performance Programme.

The 38 year old was not included in the list released by the sport's governing body this morning. The decision means Radcliffe will lose her National Lottery funding.

It's the latest blow for the women's marathon World record holder. She was forced to pull out of the London Olympics in the summer because of a foot injury.

A number of athletes and para-athletes from the East have been named in the programme. They include Robbie Grabbarz (High Jump), Nigel Levine (sprint relay), Andrew Osagie (800 metres), Jonnie Peacock (sprinting), Greg Rutherford (Long Jump) and Goldie Sayers (Javelin).

Neil Black, Performance director for UK Athletics, said, 'Being part of the World Class Performance Plan is a privilege and not a right and athletes selected will be expected to fulfill 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.”