Day one as it happened

The world indoor 60m champion produced a season's best mark of 10.22 seconds in blustery conditions in Manchester.

"This was the most important race of my life," said Gardener. "To beat these guys is a massive boost for me."

Manchester-born Campbell had to settle for second in 10.23 while Mark Lewis-Francis, who false-started, was third.

"The start messed me up big time," admitted the 21-year-old.

The top two athletes in each event automatically qualify for the British squad but they must also achieve the Olympic qualifying mark.

In the women's sprint, Abi Oyepitan reeled in rival Joice Maduaka over the last 30m to claim her first British 100m crown.

The conditions aren't great out there because it's so windy so the important thing is that I won 100m champion Abi Oyepitan

The 24-year-old Londoner won in 11.54 seconds - short of the qualifying standard - with Emma Ania third in a season's best time of 11.65.

"The conditions aren't great out there because it's so windy so the important thing is that I won," said Oyepitan, who has struggled with a stress fracture.

There was a surprise in the single lap sprint as American-born athlete Malachi Davis won the first heat of the men's 400m.

Daniel Caines and Tim Benjamin will have to hold off the dangerous new British recruit in Sunday's final to be assured of their place in Athens.

Davis eyes shock call-up

Rob Newton recovered from a poor start to clinch his first AAAs 110m hurdle title in 13.72 seconds.

The 23-year-old still lacks the Olympic qualifying standard of 13.55 but is confident that in the right conditions he can achieve it.

"Every time I run I seem to have the wind in my face," said Turner. "If I get a clean race and tighten up my start I'll be fine."

Welshman Paul Gray claimed second spot, with 19-year-old William Sharman third.

Andy Turner, who already has the qualifying standard, did not compete in Manchester because of a slight hamstring injury.

In the women's 100m hurdles, Sarah Claxton missed the qualifying mark but began to show signs she can fulfil her potential by winning in 13.21 seconds.

Sale athlete Diane Allahgreen was second with defending champion Rachel King third.

In the field events, Chris Tomlinson added his first AAAs outdoor title to his indoor long jump crown.

The 22-year-old's leap of 7.84m was enough to push the promising Darren Ritchie into second spot.

Shaw has now won a total of seven national hammer titles

But Tomlinson has still yet to reach the qualifying standard of 8.19m - a feat Britain's Nathan Morgan, who finished third in Manchester, has already achieved last year.

"It's in the selectors' hands," said Tomlinson. "I'll try and chase the standard probably in a warmer climate."

There was some cheer for the crowd as local favourite, Sale Harrier Lorraine Shaw, notched up her fifth straight hammer title.

The 36-year-old threw a championship record of 68.11m at her second attempt.

Shirley Webb produced some consistent throws to take second with 64.67m to ensure both women comfortably reached the Olympic standard.

Goldie Sayers successfully defended her javelin title with a personal best throw of 60.85m.

The 21-year-old from Newmarket was well within the qualifying mark of 60.50m and did enough to push national record holder Kelly Morgan into second.

There was also good news for Denise Lewis who recorded a personal best with 51.48m as part of her tune up for the heptathlon.

Emeka Udechuku won the discus title to deny Carl Myerscough a discus and shot put double.

Udechuku, of Woodford Green and Essex Ladies, successfully defended his title with a season's best of 61.60m.

That was good enough to edge ahead of Myerscough, who had led throughout after an opening throw of 61.28m.

Myerscough, who is banned from going to the Olympics having tested positive for anabolic steroids in 1999, won the shot with a distance of 20.84m.