Title hat-trick for Chambers

Dwain Chambers confirmed his status as a genuine contender for the World Indoor 60metres title by storming to the fastest time in the world this year at the UK Championships and World Trials in Sheffield.

Chambers blasted to a time of 6.50 seconds to claim the title for the third year in succession ahead of Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Craig Pickering at the English Institute of Sport.

Aikines-Aryeetey set a new personal best of 6.55secs in second, with Pickering - who had already said he would not compete in Doha next month even if he won - clocking 6.66. Mark Lewis-Francis was fourth in 6.67.

Chambers won silver at the last World Indoor Championships in Valencia two years ago and is the reigning European champion after victory in Turin last year, where he set a new European record of 6.42 in the semi-finals.

Elsewhere, Kate Dennison won her fifth consecutive title in the pole vault but narrowly failed to improve her own British record with three failures at 4.58m.

Vikki Hubbard missed out on the qualifying standard of 1.92m when winning the high jump with a clearance of 1.87m but has the ideal chance to reach the mark next week.

The 20-year-old from Grantham explained: "I really wanted that 1.92m but this indoor season has gone so well so far so I can't really complain. I'm just coming back from two years of injuries and I've already done a PB (personal best) so I'm happy with the win.

"I've got one more chance next week to qualify. I'm competing in Croatia against world champion Blanka Vlasic so what better opportunity than to do it there with her to inspire me."

Callum Priestley celebrated his 21st birthday with victory in the 60m hurdles but his time of 7.69secs was 0.04 outside the qualifying standard. The Londoner will have two races next week to try to achieve the time. At the other end of the age spectrum, 36-year-old Joice Maduaka won her sixth national title in the 60m courtesy of a powerful finish.

Chris Tomlinson was denied a seventh long jump title as World Championship finalist Greg Rutherford won with a season's best of 7.94m, Tomlinson recording 7.75m.