Thornbury Olympic medallist Sally Conway has announced her immediate retirement from judo.

The 34-year-old claimed bronze at the 2016 Rio Games and also won medals at the World and European Championships for Great Britain as well as the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow when representing Scotland.

"I always said to myself I will know when the time comes and I am ready to stop regardless of results and performances. I wanted to know and feel when the right time to stop was," Conway said.

"I think had Tokyo 2020 gone ahead as planned last year, I 100 per cent would have competed.

"The last year has given me a lot of time to take a step back and reflect on the future and some may question the timing with Tokyo less than six months away, but in my heart I feel like now is the right time to take that step back.

"I am so happy with what I have achieved within the sport and how my career has gone that I feel that is it for me now and I ready to close this chapter and see what the future holds."

Writing on Facebook Conway, a former Marlwood student, added: "My heart now tells me that it is the right time for me to take a step back from competing.

"Stepping onto the mat for the very first time 26 years ago I could never have imagined the opportunities, the experience and the memories I would have today.

British Judo chief executive Andrew Scoular said: "Sally has been a pioneer for British Judo for a number of years and she will leave a big hole in British Judo.

"Her storied career will have inspired a range of new judoka to step on to the mat and we will always be grateful for her contribution both on and off the mat."