By Ian Gordon, PA Sport

Commonwealth Games organisers were forced to postpone the men's pole vault final after a torrential downpour hit the City of Manchester Stadium.

The organisers have not yet decided when it will take place, but if the weather does not improve it could have to be held over until Wednesday, the final day of athletics action.

The finals of the women's high jump and the men's discus could also be under threat on Tuesday night with the safety of the athletes the priority - but the track events will go ahead.

The track and parts of the in-field were left covered in puddles as the Manchester weather which had been perfect for days finally broke about an hour before the scheduled start.

Four officials manfully tried to sweep away the water from the areas surrounding the high jump and pole vault take-off points but eventually gave up as they were fighting a losing battle with the elements.

England's Kelly Holmes looked in excellent form as she ran away from the field in the home straight to easily qualify for Wednesday's final of the 1500m.

The 1994 champion who won silver four years ago clocked four minutes 11.27 seconds with 1998 gold medallist Jackline Maranga of Kenya winning the other semi in 4:17.23.

Holmes, who has had to contend with injury problems in recent years, comfortably won her heat and said: "It's nice to be injury free and I'm looking forward to tomorrow (the 1500m final) very much.

"I've had a lot of ups and downs, as everyone knows, but I'm enjoying it again."

Wales' Hayley Tullett (4:17.35) and English duo Helen Pattinson (4:17.39) and Kerry Gillibrand (4:18.29) qualified from the first heat in second and third places respectively, but Wales' Natalie Lewis missed out after finishing sixth in 4:23.45.

From Holmes' semi, Wales' Rachel Newcombe (4:15.18) and Scotland's Hayley Ovens (4:15.39) both progressed but Northern Ireland's Kelly McNeice bowed out despite setting a new personal best of 4:18.45.

Holmes said: "Everything is good, I've had good sessions but I have been looking forward to this and it is nice to get this out of the way. My legs gets stiff and I just wanted to get going

"The final is very much open. Helen has the fastest time in the Commonwealth and that puts the pressure on her.

"There are girls in there that have done under four minutes and don't underestimate anyone. But I am out there to win."

England's Tony Whiteman won his men's 1500m semi-final in 4mins 15.18secs to ensure the Berkshire-based runner qualified for Wednesday's final.

Team-mate Michael East had a rougher passage and had to push aside Kevin Sullivan - much to the annoyance of the Canadian - before qualifying with third place in 3mins 46.90secs.

Scotland's Jonathan McCallum (3:47.37), England's Tom Mayo (3:45.56) and Northern Ireland's Colm McLean (3:45.72) also qualified but Welshman Matthew Shone (3:47.83) missed out by fractions of a second.

Freeman did not contest the individual event because of an injury-hit build-up and she also wanted to look after her husband who has mouth cancer.

She took over on the second leg well-adrift in fourth but had almost pulled up on the third placed runner.

England's quartet of Helen Frost, Helen Karagounis, Jenny Meadows and Lisa Miller booked their ticket with a comfortable victory in their semi-final in 3:30.63.

Scotland's foursome of Gemma Nicol, Susan Burnside, Carey Anne Easton and Sinead Dudgeon progressed as fastest losers in 3:36.41.