Briton Tasha Danvers-Smith faded to last in the women's 400m hurdles final as Jana Rawlinson regained the world title.

Danvers-Smith started strongly and was still in contention for a medal coming into the finishing straight.

However, she faded badly in the final 100m to finish eighth in 54.94secs.

Rawlinson, formerly Jana Pittman but now married to former British hurdler Chris, took gold in 53.31.

She held off a strong challenge from the defending champion and world record holder Yuliya Pechenkina, who was 0.19secs back.

Anna Jesien, of Poland, claimed the bronze medal in 53.92.

Rawlinson said: "Today's victory is sensational.

"It has been only eight months since the birth of my son. My husband-coach and me had a really rocky road to come here to the World Championships. We worked really hard and ultimately I have made it."

The Australian, who revealed she had spoken to Paula Radcliffe about recovering from child birth, added: "There is some truth about them saying that mummys come back strong, as a mummy you can do anything - there were three of us in the final today!"

Danvers-Smith was not too disappointed with her run and feels she is getting back to something near her best form.

"I went for it, but nobody likes to finish last," she said.

"I ran 54.9 and I can't be upset about that, even if that had been in the semi-final it would have been the fastest time I have done all year, so to put together three good runs in four days makes me happy because I have been through a lot over the last few months."

She added: "I did want to be in the medals but it wasn't my day today.

"I knew if I was going to be up with them that I would have to go out, you can't really hold back in the final and you have to go for it.

"They are going to be running 53 (seconds) pace and I already knew this before the gun, and I had to set myself up to be able to run that pace but I wasn't strong enough with the two runs in my legs to carry it home."

Rawlinson had previously won the world title in Paris in 2003 but was unable to defend it two years ago due to injury.