DIANE Modahl is back in the groove and hammering on the Atlanta selectors' doors.

The middle distance star showed no sign of the drug-allegation problems she faced as she strode to a comfortable win at Witton Park.

Running her favourite 800m in a special Blackburn Harriers invitation meeting, Modahl was through the bell in a little less than one minute.

And she finished a straight ahead of the rest with a fast clocking of 2 mins 04.1secs.

On a cold, blustery evening this was a splendid time an an indication of Olympic form.

Home club girl, Rebecca White, is still in the under 17 age bracket.

Nevertheless, she showed remarkable composure as she led to the bell in the time of 59.5 seconds - exactly what she had been asked to do as she set the pace.

First event of the evening was a world class mens 400m race.

British record holder Dave Grindley, who has suffered from injury more than most in the past, made light of starting as favourite.

Looking strong, he eased ahead and looked fresh at the finish as he won in a new Witton track record of 46.4 secs, just a stride ahead of fellow British International, Guy Bullock, 46.6 secs.

Third by the same margin wasRamon Clay of the USA. The near-Arctic conditions did no good to the pole vault as a keen three-cornered tussle was won by GB international, Paul Williamson of Thames Valley Harriers.

He soared over the opening height of five metres at the first attempt.

Ground record holder, Mike Barber of Birchfield only made it at the third and last trial, as did former Commonwealth Champion, Andy Ashurst of Sale.

First time clearances at 5.20m by Barber and Williamson relegated Ashurst into third place when all three failed at 5.40 metres.

This gave victory to Williamson on fewest total failures.

Second place in an exciting high jump was also decided on the count back.

South African star Tyron Peacock was over on his second attempt at 2.05m.

Local lad Robert Brocklebank, with Ian Massey and Danny Graham, both of Liverpool, all failed at that height.

Brocklebank and Massey shared second spot with fewer failures at two metres than Graham, who was placed fourth.

The fourth invitation event, a men's 100m, was won by Tim Montgomery from the USA. His time of 10.6 seconds was fast enough in the cool conditions.

There was a big enough crowd to prove that interest in track and field is still very much alive in East Lancashire.

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