OXFORD City’s Hannah England was happy to claim her third national 1500m title in Birmingham – even though she didn’t get the opportunity to beat her main rivals, writes STUART WEIR.

The 26-year-old’s victory at Alexander Stadium yesterday also confirmed her selection for Great Britain’s team for the World Championships in Moscow from August 10-18.

It was a race full of drama with 2009 World Championships silver medallist Lisa Dobriskey dropping out injured, before two of the other leading contenders, Charlene Thomas and reigning champion Laura Weightman, fell.

But England, the winner in 2010 and 2011, avoided the trouble and tucked in just behind leader, Emma Jackson, before sprinting away from her on the final bend to win in 4mins 10.99secs.

England said: “I was delighted to win. I wanted to beat the others fair and square and I am disappointed I did not get that opportunity.

“It is rare to see an incident like that in a British race. It is just a mark of the quality of the field and the fact that everyone is in there fighting.

"My plan was to stay with the leaders and not give myself unnecessary work on the last lap. “I was expecting Laura to make a strong move after the bell and I wanted to be ready to cover that.”

She added that she won’t run again until Moscow when she will bid to go one better than two years ago when she took silver in Daegu, South Korea.