Kirsten McClelland-Brooks claimed gold for Wales at the Commonwealth Rowing Championships in Nottingham when she won the lightweight single sculls.

It was another boost for the Monmouth-based rower, who had already taken silver and bronze at World Cup regattas in Belgium and Switzerland earlier in the season.

In the 2000 metre race at Nottingham, McClelland-Brooks established an early lead over Helen Mangan of Northern Ireland and England's Lara Hampton.

She never looked back and crossed the line four lengths clear.

"My main aim was to get off the start really quickly and to hold it there," said McClelland-Brooks, who now faces several weeks of intensive training before her assault on the world title next month in Spain.

"It's good practice for Seville.

"It feels great - I feel very proud to have raced at the Commonwealth Regatta for Wales."