British pole vaulter Kate Dennison announces retirement

Former British pole vault record holder Kate Dennison has announced her retirement from athletics. 

The 28-year-old finished sixth at the World Championships in 2009 and won bronze at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

But her London 2012 Olympic campaign ended in disappointment when she dropped out after injuring herself trying to clear 4.40m in qualifying.

"I am extremely proud of my achievements and have had an amazing time in a sport that I love," she said.

South Africa-born Dennison broke the British pole vault record nine times in 2009 and set her personal best of 4.61m in 2011, but by that time Holly Bleasdale had already improved the national record to 4.70m.

"From breaking British records on both a junior and senior level, finishing sixth at a World Championships and European Championships to a Commonwealth bronze medal and becoming a double Olympian, and representing Team GB at a home Olympics - it has been a fantastic journey," said Dennison.