Lewis put in a strong showing in the long jump and javelin

Lewis finished second overall in her first heptathlon for three years as European champion Carolina Kluft of Sweden dominated the two-day event.

But the Briton's tally of 6,282 points easily bettered the IAAF qualifying standard of 6,105 points for next month's Championships in Paris.

Kluft in profile

It also completed a good day for the British women's team, who gained promotion back into the Super League.

Lewis had been second after day one with a score of 3,658 points, 264 behind Kluft.

But outstanding performances in the long jump and javelin with marks of 6.33 metres and 49.57m made hitting the Paris qualifying mark a formality.

The main target coming here was to get the world qualifying standard and Denise has done that in brilliant fashion Denise Lewis' coach Frank Dick Lewis fights on despite attacks

The 30-year-old Midlander ran the final event, the 800m, in two minutes and 20.34 seconds.

Her finishing tally gave Lewis one of the top six scores in the world this year, guaranteeing her selection for the World Championships where she won silver medals in both 1997 and 1999.

It was also better than the 6,200 score her coach Frank Dick predicted she would achieve before the event got under way.

"It has been a marvellous second day for Denise, far better than anyone in her coaching team expected," said Dick.

"She's delighted. The main target coming here was to get the world qualifying standard and Denise's done that in brilliant fashion.

I ran like a novice in the 200m Denise Lewis

"Remember it was her first heptathlon for three years and obviously after missing last summer when becoming a mother, she is still rusty. There's lots more to come."

Lewis can expect intense competition in Paris from rising star Kluft and former world champion Eunice Barber of France.

But Lewis is playing down her chances of another gold medal.

"I don't think it is realistic to think I will challenge for gold but a podium place is possible," she said. "If my confidence is high, possibilities can open up.

"I was quite nervous before the start of the event and did have some doubts about whether I could put togther the two days and achieve the qualification standard.

"I lost a lot of points in the running events like the 200m, 800m and the hurdles and if I can improve on that in the next few weeks then that will be good."