Team England slipped to third but there was good news with gold medals each for three England legends - Mick Gault, Kelly Holmes and Karen Pickering. 

There were 30 gold, 45 silver and 51 bronze medals to celebrate, and some big names held on to their 1990 gold medals.

Kelly Holmes, later to become a Dame and President of Commonwealth Games England, won the 1500m title on her Games debut. Steve Backley and Linford Christie kept their crowns in the 100m and javelin respectively while Sally Gunnell kept her 400m hurdles gold medal. 

There was pain once again for Tony Jarrett who retained his silver medal, missing out on the 110m hurdles crown to Colin Jackson once again, who set a Games record in the process. 

Denise Lewis won the first of her two Commonwealth heptathlon titles on her debut.