McGregor beat Germany's Judith Arndt by just over one second in the final for the first world title of her career and Britain's first of the championships.

Russia's Elena Shalykh took bronze by defeating Marion Clignet of France, winner of the pursuit title in Berlin last year, by more than two seconds.

The 39-year-old cruised to win in front of her home public having taken the lead with two laps remaining and adds the gold medal to the bronze she won in Sydney.

McGregor covered the three kilometres in a time of 3mins 5.274secs, 1.273secs ahead of Arndt.

Olympic champion Leontien van Moorsel of the Netherlands did not compete at Manchester.

Following her extraordinary efforts McGregor said she would defend her title in Antwerp next year and then retire after 11 years in the sport.

"It is almost better than my Olympic bronze," enthused McGregor, who took her first world bronze behind Arndt in Perth three years ago.

"I could not have written the story better. It shows that age doesn't matter," she added.

Britain had not had a finalist in the 3,000 metres event since Beryl Burton collected her fifth crown in 1966.