He led from start to finish against a strong field including Olympic champion Chen Aisen of China in the Duna Arena.

A virtually flawless performance was always required to beat the Chinese team, but Daley produced exactly that.

His total of 590.95 points saw him hold off Chen, who managed 585.25.

Yang Jian secured another Chinese podium finish with bronze on 565.15.

Daley did not even reach the Olympic final in Rio de Janeiro last year, but his haul today was better than the 585.30 scored by Chen when winning in the Brazilian city.

The Briton is now a three-time world champion having also won the team event alongside Rebecca Gallantree two years ago in Kazan.

He also claimed silver earlier today with Grace Reid in the mixed 3m springboard.

The duo scored 308.04 to finish behind Li Zheng and Wang Han's winning haul of 323.70 as China took their eighth diving gold of the week.

Jennifer Abel and Francois Imbeau-Dulac took Canadian bronze with 297.72.

China also enjoyed synchronised swimming gold today in the team free event.

They scored 96.1000 to beat Ukraine, who managed 94.0000.

Japan took bronze with 93.2000.

Russia, the discipline's dominant nation, did not enter a team.

It came on the same day that FINA approved a name change from synchronised to artistic swimming due to come into operation after the Championships.

Pool swimming competition is due to begin here tomorrow.