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Olympic hopeful Rob Tobin made the most of some high-profile absences to claim his first national title at the UK Athletics Championships in Birmingham

Tobin, a former European under-23 champion, won the 400m in 45.85 seconds, although domestic rivals Martyn Rooney, Tim Benjamin and Michael Bingham were all missing with hamstring problems of varying severity.

"It was very windy down the back straight, so the time could have been quicker," admitted Tobin.

"I'm aiming for a late season peak, so the times should start coming down from now. I've got confidence that I can go out to the World Championships and do myself justice."

Michael Rimmer insists he can finally deliver on his promise after winning the men's 800m title in 1.45.40, well ahead of nearest rivals Damien Moss and Steven Fennell.

The Liverpool athlete has endured a nightmare 12 months - failing to make the Olympic final after being laid low with food poisoning.

He was then sidelined for most of the winter with a foot injury and was recently diagnosed with sport-induced asthma.

"It was a really good performance and better than I expected," said Rimmer, who will now seek to make the qualifying A' standard for Berlin.

"I've not felt like that all season, so I've got to be pretty pleased. I've just got to go quicker now."

Freya Murray - who has battled Achilles tendon problems this season - claimed the women's 5000m with a dominant display of solo running, crossing the line in 15.45.07.

Charlotte Purdue, who won the 3000m English Schools' title just 24 hours earlier, underlined her potential with a second place finish.

Helen Clitheroe retained her women's 3000m steeplechase title but her time of 9.48.25 was outside the Berlin qualifying standard while Jermaine Mays was a surprise winner of the men's 1500m in 3.41.28 and Scott Overall, in the absence of Mo Farah, claimed the men's 5000m title.

Eurosport