Claxton is running close to British record pace (Getty)

Colchester athlete Sarah Claxton has all but secured her place in the British squad for the Beijing Olympics.

The 100 metres hurdler thought she had qualified last weekend but was then told she had to hit the time twice.

However, she clocked the qualifying mark for a second time at Loughborough on Thursday and is now awaiting to hear if she will be flying out to China.

The 28-year-old told BBC Essex: "Now I have done that I have to wait and see whether I am going."

The Great Britain athletics squad heading to Beijing will be announced on Monday.

It will be much more easier now, because now I can actually go there and contend with the top girls Sarah Claxton

Claxton has been in impressive form this season and narrowly missed out on lowering the British record at the Loughborough meeting, when she clipped the final hurdle

"I clipped it and the clock stopped at 12.80 seconds, but if I hadn't done I probably would have run a 78 or 79," she explained.

The Essex Ladies competitor was part of the Great Britain squad at the Athens Olympics four years ago, an experience which she believes will stand her in good stead in Beijing.

"It will be much more easier now, because now I can actually go there and contend with the top girls and get through each round. I want to get through to the final," she said.

"I think Athens was more about experience. When I went into the stadium to compete I got really nervous when I looked up into the stands, so that one was more about experience."