Louis Smith is closing in on European Championship glory after topping the pommel horse qualification scores.

The Huntingdon Gym Club star enjoyed a fine return to international competition in Montpellier, France yesterday (Thursday).

Smith produced a superbly executed routine to earn a score of 15.800 from the judges and confirm himself as a major contender for a medal in the final tomorrow (Saturday).

Smith said: “This is half the job done, I’m very happy to have made the final.

“Wearing the GBR leotard again is a very proud moment for me and proves all my hard work has been worth it.

“There is always a chance that if I do my routine cleanly then I’m capable of medals in the final.

“That’s all I need to do focus on my routine and let’s see what happens.”

Smith is a three-time European silver medalist on the pommel horse.