ESPRIT Gymnastics might be no strangers to success in top competition, but even by their high standards, 2013 is looking a special year.

No less than six of the clubs elite band of gymnasts have qualified for this year’s British Championships, to be held in Stoke-on-Trent from June 21-23.

Leading the charge is Cricklade's Laura Halford, who is hoping to secure her first senior British title when she goes up against a line-up including ex-Esprit and London 2012 star Jade Faulkner in Staffordshire.

The 17-year-old, who will compete for Wales at next year’s Commonwealth Games, has already won the British title in every age group.

Last year, her first as a senior, she came second only to Olympian Francesca Fox in both the British and Welsh Championships.

That capped a great year for Halford, who in the last 12 months has won medals for her country in Portugal and Canada, the latter of which was an overall title.

She was also crowned British champion at the Individual Apparatus finals earlier this year and was the first rhythmic gymnast to be selected for Team GB’s Olympic Ambition Programme, for athletes with the potential to make the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

Also competing in Stoke-on-Trent is 17-year-old Stephani Sherlock, runner-up to Halford at last year’s British Championships.

Sherlock, who will also represent England at the prestigious Calais International from June 13-16, has already performed routines in Romania and medalled in Russia and Poland this year.

Fifteen-year-old Tyler Brumitt, who will accompany Sherlock to Calais, will fancy her chances of success and joining her in the junior section is Ellie Morse, 15, who played her part in Esprit's national title-winning team last year.

Sixteen-year-old Maya Lucas, a champion alongside Morse in the group, will compete alongside Halford and Sherlock as a senior.

Esprit's up-and-coming 12-year-old from Stratton, Katy Coleman, will get the chance to show her talents on the national stage in her very first year as a junior.

Head coach Deb Hows said: “All the gymnasts have worked incredibly hard and will be contesting titles at the British, Welsh and English Championships over the coming months as well as the all-important trip to France to compete in Calais.”