Mo Farah and Tiffany Ofili-Porter set records in Monaco

European 5,000m champion Mo Farah set a new British record of 12 minutes, 53.11 seconds in the latest Diamond League meeting in Monaco.

Tiffany Ofili-Porter also raced to a British record of 12.60 seconds in the 100m hurdles as she finished third.

Sprint sensation Usain Bolt clocked his fastest 100m of the season to take victory in 9.88, despite a poor start.

On a good day for British athletics, Phillips Idowu won the triple jump with 17.36m to top the Diamond League table.

In the 100m, Jamaican Nesta Carter, who powered from the blocks to put fellow countryman Bolt under immediate pressure, led the field going into the final 40m.

But Bolt was just able to edge the lead by two hundredths of a second as Carter finished second in 9.90.

"It was not the best start, but I executed well overall," Olympic champion Bolt reflected.

"My last 60m have improved dramatically. I need to work on my reaction time, but I've been doing great in training, so I'm just focusing and I feel ready."

He added: "My aim this season is to run 9.7, maybe 9.6. For me, this year it's about building myself and go into the Olympic season fit and ready. London [2012] is the key."

Farah stands in good sted ahead of August's World championships in Daegu with another commanding performance in the 5,000m.

The 28-year-old, who earned his eighth successive victory, took control of the race on the bell as he quickened the pace and stretched the breakaway pack of five athletes as they came into the home straight.

Farah kicked from the front with Bernard Lagat and Kiplangat Koech on his shoulder threatening to steal his lead but the Briton held on.

"Brilliant run by Mo Farah. There's a confidence, a new beginning and it may prove to be the icing on the cake in Daegu," BBC Sport commentator Stuart Storey reflected.

Australian Sally Pearson is proving increasing hard to beat as she took the women's 100m hurdles in 12.51.

By the third hurdle, Pearson had already edged the field and her flawless technique held off American Kellie Wells.

Newly crowned British record holder Ofilli-Porter finished in third in 12.60.

World and European triple jump champion Idowu proved that his recent war of words with UK Athletics head coach Charles van Commenee has not affected his jumping ability.

Cuba's Alexis Copello and David Girat took second and third place in front of a packed Louis II Stadium.

In the men's 400m hurdles a strong start from reigning Olympic champion Angelo Taylor put the American in the lead coming into the home straight.

Fellow United States sprinter Bershawn Jackson was closing in as the line neared but Taylor held his form and his nerve to finish first in 47.97. Britain's Dai Greene, who had been ill during the week, completed the podium places in third (48.43).

BBC Sport commentator Steve Cram said: "Greene never quite got on terms. He didn't feel 100% coming into this run but he did well despite not being at his best."

Goldie Sayers finished in fourth in the javelin with a best throw of 60.97m. The Czech Republic's Barbora Spatakova won the competition with the furthest throw in the world this year, 69.45m.

An impressive world-leading 1500m victory for Kenya's Silas Kiplagat (3:30.47) was overshadowed by a fight between Mahiedine Benabbad Mekhissi and Mehdi Baala after the race, who had to be separated by race officials, in a long-running feud between the Frenchmen.

At one point Baala told his rival "I'm going to break you in two" although he later expressed regret, adding: "At such an event, in front of a full stadium, it's a shame to give a bad image of athletics."

The women's 200m was swept up by the Americans who took all three podium places.

Allyson Felix and Carmelita Jeter were both in contention as they powered into the straight but Jeter held the advantage to win in 22.20, a personal best time.

Felix (22.32), running in her final race before the World Championships, must now decide whether to compete in both the 400m and 200m in Daegu.

American 200m champion Shalonda Solomon trailed in third in 22.63.

The 800m was won by David Rudisha of Kenya in 1:42.61, the best time in the world this year.