CRICKLADE gymnast Laura Halford has been annointed as Frankie Jones’ successor at the top of British rhythmic gymnastics by the woman herself.

Jones, a teammate of Halford at last summer’s Commonwealth Games, insists the Esprit star can fill the void left by her summer retirement, believing the 18-year-old’s selfless drive and determination marks her out as one to watch.

Jones brought the curtain down on her sparkling rhythmic gymnastics career in some fashion this summer, claiming five silvers and a gold at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow to become Wales’ most decorated athlete from a single Games.

One of those silvers came in the team event in which Jones was accompanied by Nikara Jenkins and Halford and, already a two-time British senior champion, the latter went on to claim two further bronzes in the ball and all-around.

Impressed with the performances of Halford on her Commonwealth Games debut in Glasgow, Jones, who represented Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics, is backing her to pick up the baton for rhythmic gymnastics.

“There are some very good young, strong gymnasts coming up. Laura Halford, my teammate, she’s already pushing it, she was really close on my tail in Glasgow. She has got a really bright future ahead of her,” she said.

“She’s so young. She’s got whatever she wants to do with it and she’s so motivated. In the gym she’s very similar to me when I was that age. It’s just gym and she’s put everything into it.

“She’d rather be in the gym than be out playing. It’s really nice to find somebody in Britain who is that focused as well. I know she is going to go far just from her dedication already.”

Jones’ days of competing alongside Halford may be at an end, but their sporting relationship may be set to continue.

Jones, 24, is currently in the process of developing her coaching qualifications and is keen on continuing to play a role in helping her friend to the top.

“I’d love to stay involved with her journey because it is a special one,” she added. “She’s not been to that many big competitions before this year so I’ve kind of given her some guidance from an athlete’s perspective, what she should expect and things. I think it’s helped her.”

Frankie Jones was speaking at the UK Coaching Awards, supported by Gillette.