The Michael Johnson show continued in Seville with more records tumbling to the great American.

Johnson created double history as he set a new world record of 43.18 in the 400m, and then captured gold in the 4x400m making it nine world wins in all, beating Carl Lewis' haul of eight.

The British story centred around Colin Jackson who became the first Briton to regain a world title when he took gold in the 110m hurdles.

Jackson, who first attended the world championships in 1987 when he won bronze, pipped Cuba's Anier Garcia to the line.

And while a veteran was winning a major championship, new kid on the block Dean Macey announced himself as one to watch in the future as he gained a surprise decathlon silver with a string of outstanding displays.

Dwain Chambers showed he was ready to take over Linford Christie's sprinting mantle by winning a 100m bronze medal.

The future for sprinting as a whole looked highly encouraging as the relay quartet followed America home with a silver medal in a new European record time.

Jonathan Edwards added to the medal tally but was disappointed with a third place in the triple jump.

Paula Radcliffe led the women's charge as she won silver in the 10000m behing Ethiopia's Gete Wami, a feat equalled by Denise Lewis in the heptahlon.

Elsewhere there were more historic performances.

Ivan Pedroso of Cuba completed a hat-trick of men's long jump titles, while Gail Devers did the same in the women's 100m hurdles.

But Haile Gebrselassie went one better as he collected his fourth successive world 10000m title.

Marion Jones' bid to write her name in the record books failed though.

She was bidding to be the first woman to win four golds, but after taking the 100m she came unstuck in the long jump and her championships ended with the American being helped off the track after she collapsed with an injury in the 200m.