Best known for placing sixth in the long jump at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, where she set a new personal best of 6.71 metres, the 22-year-old graduate's best long jump in 2010 was 6.69m and in the triple jump she recorded 13.88m.

The IAAF has declared that Proctor, who has had British citizenship since birth, can represent Britain with immediate effect.

She has just completed a sports management degree at University of Florida but grew up in St Croix, Anguilla.

"My lifelong dream has always been to compete at the highest level in track and field," Proctor said.

"I am therefore thrilled that I can potentially compete for Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the 2012 Olympics.

"It will certainly be an honour to represent the United Kingdom."

UK Athletics head coach Charles van Commenee said: "I'm happy to welcome Shara into the team, she's a high calibre athlete who has proven to be able to make finals at global championships.

"We are not strong in women's field events at the moment and the fact that Shara has decided to represent Britain from now on will make the team stronger."

If Proctor does prosper from her switch of nationality, she would be far from the first to do so in this event.

Britain's long jumper Fiona May switched nationality to Italy in 1994, subsequently winning two world titles and two Olympic silvers.

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