IT was party night at the Bolton Arena last night as England picked up the Commonwealth Games' badminton gold.

And no-one enjoyed the occasion more than Mancunian Colin Haughton. After overcoming largely indifferent form in the mixed team event to win through for a medal, he said: "This is something special."

"There was too much expectation on me but tonight I went out and fought hard. I was mentally tough and really enjoyed it."

An appreciative 3,000 strong crowd saw the Young Lions fend off the challenge of Singapore for a result that was never really in doubt.

After defeating the Malaysians in a steamy quarter-final that owed as much to the atmosphere as the high quality of the competition, the smart money was always on England.

And from the first shuttle struck by badminton super-pair Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms, England were roared on to success.

The match was played as the best of five games, but England needed only three. Then the crowd erupted.

The unashamedly partisan supporters -- swelled by a handful of voluble Scots fans left over from the previous day's semi-final -- screamed their delight, echoed by the victory celebrations from the England team.

Their beaming smiles continued through the official ceremony as Bolton North-east MP David Crausby presented the medals.

New Zealand and Scotland took the bronze, and Singapore the silver. But the England squad had come to the Games' with gold on their mind and on their tracksuits.

They never wanted to settle for less and, in the event, they didn't have to.

By Angela Kelly at the Bolton Arena