INVERCLYDE Council has won a gold award for its support of the armed forces.

The local authority is one of 33 employers given the top badge of honour by the Ministry of Defence through its Employer Recognition Scheme.

It is open to organisations which have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and demonstrated ‘outstanding support for those who serve and have served’.

Inverclyde is one of only two Scottish councils to hold the prestigious gold award.

Council veterans’ champion, Councillor Gerry Dorrian, said: “We have come a long way from signing the covenant in 2012, which set out our clear commitment to make sure that we are providing support for our armed forces personnel and veterans.

“Our armed forces provide an invaluable service to our community and it is right that we show our support in whatever way we can.”

Council leader Stephen McCabe added: “As a local authority and as a major employer in the area, we can lead the way and show how an employer should support veterans. I would encourage more of our local employers to support the principles behind the armed forces covenant.”

Cllr Dorrian said: “I would like to thank Jane Duncan, our veterans’ adviser, who was the main author of the submission and worked tirelessly in getting the application together, and Tracy Bunton, who formed a veterans’ support group which involves partner agencies like housing, social work, benefits and the homeless team and meets every six weeks to discuss what has been done correctly and what could have been done better.”

The council’s customer service centre offers specific advice and support to ensure veterans get the help they need, and the staff there have received specialist training.

They can refer people on to services where specialist support is provided, such as medical treatment, housing and employment advice and arrange assistance with claiming financial benefits, including compensation payments and pension arrangements.

Any individual or family who feel they might benefit from such support should call 717171 or email customerveterans@inverclyde.gov.uk while further information is also available online www.inverclyde.gov.uk/firmbase