Simpson was the British 800m champion in 2007

Cornish 800m runner Jemma Simpson has moved up to sixth in the world rankings after finishing second at the Meeting de Atletismo in Madrid on Saturday.

Simpson recorded the fastest 800m time by a British woman in 2009 of 1:59:31.

The performance put her ahead of fellow British runners Marilyn Okoro, who finished third, and Jennifer Meadows.

Simpson, formerly the British 800m champion, is set to compete in the World Championship trials, which are being held in Birmingham on Saturday.

The 25-year-old is hoping to ensure her place at the Championships in Berlin in August.

"My aim this year is to top the UK rankings for the 800m and be competitive to win in the final of the World Championships," said Simpson.

Simpson has recently returned to the UK after four months of training with her coach Mark Rowland in the United States.

She added: "Training in Oregon enabled me to have excellent one-to-one advice and some of the best coaching that a UK-born coach has to offer."

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