The 26-year-old has announced she is pulling herself out of the pool and retiring from a glittering 10-year international career.

But, instead of turning her back on the sport, the Wrangle swimmer says she is 'excited' about taking on the role of head coach for the City of Derby Swimming Club.

"It wasn't a tough decision. I'll miss everything I've taken from swimming, such as the lifestyle – but I just can't do it anymore," she told The Standard.

"I feel like I've done everything I could do and achieved almost everything I wanted to."

The one goal that has eluded Marshall is an Olympic medal, although she has the honour of representing Great Britain at the games in both Athens and Beijing.

However, her trophy cabinet is far from empty.

Marshall is the most decorated Englishwoman in a single Commonwealth Games, claiming six medals in the pool while competing in Melbourne in 2006.

A bronze won in Manchester four years previously takes her personal tally to seven.

Surely, this must be her career highlight?

"Winning six medals at one Commonwealth Games was special," Marshall said.

"But so was competing at two Olympics, swimming the fastest time in the world one year, holding a European record and being given the Freedom of the Borough. There are so just many memories."

Marshall has won a silver at both the World Long and Short Course Championships.

Add this to five European Championship medals (including two golds) and five first places at the British Championships, one European and eight British records, and Marshall can class herself as one of the most successful GB swimmers of recent years.

However, she has no regrets about her change of career, adding: "I don't want to put my body through training seven hours a day anymore.

"I've been doing this since I was six years old and I think my friends are just glad I can go out for a drink with them on a Saturday night now.

"My mum still thinks I could win gold at London 2012, but overall my mum and dad just want me to be happy."

Marshall was granted the Freedom of the Borough by Boston Borough Council in 2006.

One of the perks include being allowed to drive sheep through the town centre. However, Marshall will now find herself running through Wide Bargate instead.

She has agreed to compete in this year's Boston United Santa Fun Run on December 7... wearing an all-in-one Speedo LZR swimming costume.

MARSHALL will also be looking towards a new career as a motivational speaker. Find out more at www.activeaims.com