KERRY GILLIBRAND is already thinking about the next Commonwealth Games in Australia after enjoying her first major championships.

The Baxenden athlete was elated just to reach the 1,500m final last night in the City of Manchester Stadium and she finished 10th out of 12 runners after racing into the lead over the first 100m.

"I had to get on television somehow," laughed former Hyndburn AC runner.

"It was my first major championships and I would love to have a go at the next Commonwealths.

"I just want to come back."

It had been an awful year for the 25-year-old who gave up running for a month after the shock death of her mum in March.

She has also been beset by niggling injuries throughout her career and even had a virus just before the Games although she said it had cleared up.

And the Sale Harrier was always facing an uphill battle last night as she was up against the big guns of England's Kelly Holmes and Preston runner Helen Pattinson.

Favourite Holmes eventually raced clear of the field to clinch the gold in 4mins 5.99secs while Pattinson celebrated a bronze (4.07.62).

Gillibrand finished in 4.15.54 - outside her personal best of 4.11.

The competitors were tightly bunched around the three and three quarter laps until Pattinson broke with 800m to go and the Preston athlete admitted this wasn't to her liking.

"Secretly I was hoping for more. My plan was to stick in there and then take it up," admitted Pattinson.

"I got in a really bad position and had to fight myself out. It was very rough.

"I have a war wound to prove it but I am sure I am not the only one."

Gillibrand also found the race a battle and has vowed to toughen up over the winter.

"The race was pretty much what I expected although I would have liked to have stuck with the pace for a bit longer.

"I thought Kelly would win and I knew Helen stood a chance of a medal. But it was good for me in that it was a slow start. There was a lot of barging and I think I was a little bit soft for all that. I should have been

a bit more aggressive.

"But I am going to do some cross countries over the winter and hopefully that will toughen me up a bit. I am too much of a softy!"

The runner hopes to get another chance of international glory by securing a Great Britain vest in the cross country once the track season is over.

"I will have to work hard over the winter. I want to prepare better and train better for next season.

"So I want a proper crack at cross countries as I have never really done it properly and I would like to get selected for the GB squad.

"But we will see how it goes. That should toughen me up though!"

She was once again supported by her family and friends from Baxenden who got a soaking on Tuesday night as they were in the open end when she took part in her semi.

"They are in the covered end this time - at least I hope so! It was a great atmosphere and it felt good."