Pooley, who won silver in the Olympic time trial in Beijing, clocked a winning time of 32min 48secs to beat Germany's Judith Arndt into second place.

Linda Villumsen took the bronze medal to hand New Zealand their first medal of the Championships.

It is also her second successive bronze in the event, having won bronze last year for her native Denmark.

A climbing specialist who only took up the sport in 2005, Pooley's bid for gold almost came unstuck when International Cycling Union (UCI) officials said her time trial bike did not comply with regulations.

She had to use a teammate's bike and, after making a few last-minute adjustments, got on with the job in hand.

Having trained specifically for the event, Pooley was unshakable and she put her climbing skills to good use on the hilly 22.9 kilometre circuit.

"The Olympic Games is pretty special, but in a way, that was easier for me because I had no expectations and no pressure," said Pooley (pictured).

"This time it was different. I trained specifically for this, doing a lot of hill training and intervals on my time trial bike.

"Now I get to wear the world champion's jersey with the stripes for a whole year."

Pooley, who succeeds retired American racer Kristin Armstrong, came into the competition in fine form having won the GP de Plouay in September, when she also claimed the British road race title.

Earlier this season the 27-year-old Londoner took overall wins in the Tour of Trentino and the Tour de l'Aude, and put her climbing talents on display earlier in the year with victory in the Fleche Wallonne.

Pooley's first world crown comes two years after she finished second behind Armstrong in the Olympic time trial at Beijing in 2008.

French veteran Jeannie Longo, 51, who has multiple world and Olympic titles and a total of 57 French national titles, finished just off the podium place in 33:32.