Scotby's Nick Miller produced a best-ever finish by a British athlete in the hammer throw at the World Athletics Championships - but could not get among the medals.

The British record-holder looked like he could challenge for a medal although, with all three medallists throwing further than Miller's lifetime best, the Carlisle athlete had to settle for sixth place.


Cumbrian hammer thrower Miller fouled with first throw at the London Stadium.

But Miller, who qualified for the final on Wednesday night with a throw of 75.52m at the first attempt, landed his first legal throw of 75.78m in the second round. That was good enough to move him into seventh place.

Following the second round, BBC commentator Steve Backley and treble Olympic medallist said: "Nick Miller is in with a real chance here."

Despite his second-round throw, the Cumbrian found himself under pressure for his third-round throw.

With the top eight progressing past round three, Miller found himself in ninth spot, knowing he had to improve in round three. But Miller delivered under pressure to land a throw of 77.31m - 24cm away from his own British record - to briefly move into the medal positions.

In a tight competition, the Commonwealth silver medallist quickly found himself dropping back down to fifth and in need of a brilliant throw to move back into medal contention.

Carlisle's Miller could not improve on his second-round throw, fouling with his fourth throw of the final, before he landed a throw of 76.16m in round five.

Miller did have one last chance to clear the 78m mark, which is ultimately what he would have had to do for a medal, in round six. However, he fouled again and had to settle for sixth.

After Miller's final throw, Backley said: "He looks like he knew he had a new lifetime best in him there, but he could just not quite find it."