Gemma Steel has stepped up her Olympic bid with a new personal best for the 3,000m.

The 26-year-old Charnwood athlete is aiming to qualify for the 5,000m at London 2012, but is using the indoor track season to build up her speed over shorter distances.

And she brought down her 3,000m best from 9.10.41 to 9.01.86 as she finished in sixth spot at the Aviva Grand Prix in Birmingham.

The race was won by three-time World indoor 3,000m champion Meseret Defar (Ethiopia) in 8.31.56.

Helen Clitheroe last season's indoor sensation when she won European gold, was fifth in 8.48.58.

"My coach (John Nuttall) said he would be happy for me to run around the nine-minute mark and I did that so I am pleased," said Steel.

"It was hard work and very hot in the arena, but my plan was to stick around with Helen as long as I could.

"She stretched out and pulled away from me and I was then left on my own about five seconds clear of my nearest rivals and then it was just a case of concentrating hard.

"It is mentally tough when it's just you on your own but I was pleased that I dug in and took a good chunk off my time."

Steel has yet to run 5,000m on the track this year and had a personal best in 2011 of 15.47. The A qualifying standard is 15.23 with the B standard set at 15.30 and she will certainly be knocking on the door for a B standard time judging by her 3,000m performances.

She said: "John was happy with that, you can take a few seconds off for the outdoor track because the bends are not so tight."

However, Nuttall has decided against Steel's participation in next month's New York half-marathon. But she will be competing in the National cross-country championships in London on Saturday.

Leicester Walking Club's Jasmine Nicholls won the Midland Open 3k race at Birmingham's National Indoor Arena in a time of 16min 41sec.