Laura Sugar has given up her job as a teacher to fully focus on her athletics career and reaching the World Championships in Doha.

The former Newport Free Grammar School student took silver in the women’s 100m T44 event at the England Athletics Senior AAA and Disability Championships.

Two weeks ago, she came third behind Great Britain team-mate Sophie Kamlish at the Anniversary Games at the Olympics Stadium.

Sugar, who was born with talipes or club foot as it is better known, gave up her job teaching PE at Ashby School near Loughborough at the end of term and will instead be a full-time athlete.

“This is my second full season and I’m really getting into it,” she said.

“Gave up my job so I’m going to be full-time. I’ve been trying to combine the two, which has been great, but now is my time to really focus on it and try to get to Doha and get a medal there.

“It would mean everything to get to Doha.”

A former Wales U20 hockey captain, Sugar’s three-year ascent to the top of the sport has her as a serious contender heading into the World Championships.

“We do compete with double amputee so there’s me, Sophie, Marlou [Van Rhijn], couple of Americans, Dutch and we’re all very close to each other. There’s not an out-and-out favourite for the medal. It’ll be down to the day so I have to make every day count,” she said.

Last Sunday’s athletics meet at the Olympic Stadium also doubled up as part of the celebrations for National Paralympic Day, an annual event designed to help continue the legacy of the 2012 Games, and Sugar was delighted to play her part.

“National Paralympic Day is incredible. It draws in the crowd and gets people involved in Paralympic sport,” she added. “I just happened to be watching London and saw Dan Greaves compete and realised I could compete too.

“I’m an example of the legacy of London 2012. That’s one situation. If I can inspire one tor two people, not to be the best, but to get involved with sport then that’s brilliant.”