Pressure is on, admits Kristian Thomas as Great Britain's elite are 'expected to get medals'

The Wolverhampton gymnast knows they are in the spotlight ahead of the start of British Championships in Liverpool today.

Thomas will compete in all six events at the Echo Arena with one eye on defending their title in May's European Championships.

And he insisted after two years of success for British Gymnastics the athletes are expected to succeed.

"International competitions were a bit of a slower process and it's taken a few years to get where we are now but it's always set in stone with UK Sport that they expect medals," said Thomas, who finished second at the English Championships earlier this month.

"We're expected to get them and everyone knows.

"Max (Whitlock) is probably the favourite after the year he had bit you never know, especially in gymnastics, anything can happen. I'm going there to get my head down and claim some medals."

The weekend will be used as a trial for the summer's Commonwealth Games but also the European Championships in Bulgaria.

Thomas helped GB to their first ever team gold at the 2012 Championships in Montpellier before winning team bronze at the London Olympics.

"The Europeans and British will be the main trials so we know how they important they are," said the 25-year-old.

"The Europeans will be first but it will give the coaches a good indication where we all are. It's really important for us because we won it in 2012 and we have to defend that."

Louis Smith will also compete after finishing second in the pommel to Whitlock at the English Championships.

The 24-year-old who took 18-months out after winning pommel silver and team bronze in London, including competing on Strictly Come Dancing, is hoping to earn a place in the Commonwealth Games squad.

Thomas added: "The pommel will be really interesting as Louis will be going for a place on the Commonwealth team.

"He's had a couple more weeks to get his fitness up since the English Championships as well."