Sotherton (l) and Ennis (r) proudly show off their medals

The Olympic bronze medallist finished on a total of 6396, 98 points ahead of Australian Kylie Wheeler, who pipped Ennis to silver by just 29 points.

Sotherton, 29, had led by 73 points overnight and extended that lead despite what she described as a "dreadful" performance in the javelin.

England's Julie Hollman finished sixth with 6002 points.

"It was a really hard competition and I'm glad I've won it and come out on top," said Sotherton.

"I'm a bit disappointed with my performance today but it's a gold medal, isn't it?"

Now I can have some chips tonight - I've been waiting for two weeks Kelly Sotherton

"I've had cramp and it was a bit tentative. I've also jarred a rib in the javelin and every time I had to run I was in pain," added the 29-year-old.

On Tuesday, 20-year-old Ennis had been a surprise leader after the first two events, having achieved a superb personal best of 1.91m in the high jump.

But Olympic bronze medallist Sotherton fought back in the shot put, throwing 13.74m to Ennis' 11.87m, and then ran 23.56 seconds in the 200m.

Sotherton had begun well with a 100m hurdles season's best of 13.29 secs and then equalled her high jump personal best with 1.85m.

Sotherton began day two with an impressive leap of 6.51m in the long jump, in which Ennis achieved a distance of 6.15m.

Really happy for Kelly and I'm delighted for Jessica Ennis, a new star is born From T Have your say on Five Live

Ennis cut the gap with a personal best of 36.39m in the javelin as Sotherton, for whom the discipline is her weakest, struggled with a strapped-up leg and threw just 32.04m.

But she had done enough to secure gold with the battle for silver and bronze the major focus going into the last event.

Ennis led Wheeler by just one point ahead of the 800m and tracked the Australian during the race.

But Wheeler managed to pull away in the final yards and her two-second advantage was enough to clinch silver.

Lowdown on the heptathlon