SWINDON’S Laura Halford has been crowned senior British rhythmic gymnastics champion for the fourth time after winning the all-around title in Liverpool on Saturday.

The 21-year-old last triumphed in the competition in 2015, having had to settle for runners-up spot behind fellow Swindon gymnast Stephanie Sherlock 12 months ago.

Sherlock, who trains alongside Halford at Esprit under Debbie Howes, finished fourth at the Echo Arena this weekend.

Halford triumphed with a score of 60.600 after competing strongly on all four apparatus. She led the scoring charts on the hoop, clubs and ribbon sections and was second in the ball class.

Gemma Frizelle finished overall runner-up on 55.000, with Mimi-Isabella Cesar third with 54.150. Sherlock scored 50.550.

Halford told British Gymnastics' official website: “I feel amazing, it's been a really tough year, I've had lots of competitions and lots of training so just to know it's all payed off is really good.

“I started on hoop and I did a really good routine. I got my highest score this year, 16.3, so I was really happy with that.”

In the senior rhythmic group competition, Esprit were victorious and took the all-around title with a score of 25.100.

Halford, who won three medals representing Wales at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014, will now turn her attentions to the World Championships, which take place in Pesaro, Italy, between August 29 and September 3.

She said: “I've been selected to represent Great Britain at the World Championships in Italy so hopefully I can keep fixing up all the little mistakes so I can be even better then.”