HIGHLY rated thrower Rachel Hunter has been forced to pull out of the Commonwealth Games, it has been announced.

The Ayr woman, who represents North Ayrshire and threw 66.46m to top the Scottish rankings in 2017 has withdrawn on medical grounds.

Rachel reached the finals of the Hammer event at Hampden in the Glasgow 2015 Commonwealth Games and finished sixth.

She said on her Facebook page on Thursday: "I am extremely saddened to say that I have had to withdraw from Team Scotland and the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia. Over the past six months I have been in and out of hospital for lengthy periods to try and get some significant mental health issues (mainly anxiety and PTSD) sorted out.

"Today I had to make the decision that although I am physically fit enough to represent my country I may not be mentally capable to perform at the highest level.

"To say that I am gutted is an understatement but its better to be safe than sorry. I would like to thank all of you for your kind words of support recently as well as thanks to everyone who has been trying to help me over the past while, I love you all and I will be back later in the season."