An Olympic gold medallist has been elected on to the board of Sport England, it has been announced.

Chigwell-born Sally Gunnell, who attended West Hatch High School in High Road, is one of seven new board members who will ensure over £1b of public money is being spent investing in community sport.

She will begin immediately and will spend two days a month in the new role.

Sport England is investing the public money and lottery funding into sport for the next five years, with a focus on the 14-25 age group.

Sally Gunnell, who won gold in the 400m hurdles at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, will be joined by chief executive of England Rugby 2015 Debbie Jevans and British Cycling chief executive Ian Drake.

They are joined by chairman of the English Federation of Disability Sport, Charles Reed, Transport for London chief finance officer David Goldstone, Speed Communications managing director Kate Bosomworth, and Accenture director Mark Spelman.

Secretary of state for culture, media and sport, Maria Miller, said: “Sally will bring a wealth of experience and will help ensure the money is being invested into community sport and make the biggest possible impact.

“Her appointment builds on the focus of raising the profile of women and sport, part of which aims to increase the representation of women on sport governing bodies’ boards.

“Sport England’s board is now made up of one third females.”

Sally Gunnell grew up on her father’s farm in Chigwell and it was while she was attending Chigwell Primary School that an athletics teacher told her she should join an athletics club.

She started running with the Essex Ladies Club, now part of Woodford Green Athletics Club in Chigwell Road and often puts her success down to the club’s encouragement.