KENT'S Kelly Holmes produced one of the best runs of her life to take silver in the 800m at the World Championships in Paris last night.

Holmes, who won 800m bronze at the 1995 World Championships, was beaten by her training partner Maria Mutola, who overtook the British athlete on the final stretch.

Holmes, who held off Kruschchelyova to claim second place, only decided to run the 800m when she arrived in Paris after a disappointing display over 1500m in Zurich earlier this month.

The 33-year-old from Hildenborough, near Tonbridge, said: "I amaze myself sometimes. This year I have been emotionally, physically and psychologically very low. I was nearly going to give up this year because it's the lowest I have ever felt.

"I came here not knowing which event I was going to do. My training has been limited and I didn't think I had the ammunition to perform."