Helen Clitheroe has qualified for the World Athletics Championships in the Finnish capital Helsinki in August.

With a time of 4:08.30 in the 1500m the Preston Harrier stormed to victory at the AAAs and World Championship qualifiers in Manchester on Saturday.

She will now form part of the Great Britain team which will travel to Finland from August 6 to 14.

The 31-year-old from Penwortham, said: "I had already made the qualifying time of 4:05.74 last weekend at the Paris Gold League.

"To win was great. The trials are very important and it's a tense weekend because it's what you have been working to all season."

Winning the trials has also bought her a coveted place at the next Commonwealth Games, to be held in Melbourne, Australia.

She admitted she still has plenty of hard work to do before the Helsinki championships.

"I think I have got to get nearer to the four minute time, but I think I am going in the right direction. I feel pretty motivated at the moment."

She is planning to travel to Finland on August 1 for a training camp.

"My aim is to reach the final, and then who knows? I want to get as high a place as I can," she added.