LOYAL companies are being recognised for supporting members of staff who serve with the armed forces.

Framed certificates signed by Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon are being presented to businesses which granted leave to members of their workforce to join the reserve forces over the past 12 months.

It includes Territorial and other reserve forces who took part in the military effort in the Iraqi conflict.

Lieutenant Colonel Garry Hearn, of the Royal Signals Regiment, is touring business premises in the region thanking them for their support.

His first port of call this week was Siemens Business Services' (SBS) National Savings and Investment premises in Durham.

The company has a 550-strong workforce at its Millburngate House complex, dealing with savings certificates and customer queries.

Internal communications manager Beverley Fickling said company policy supports employees' involvement with the armed forces.

"The company believes that belonging to the reserve forces does develop skills which can be transferred and used in the workplace," she said. "So we do value and have no problem with the secondment of our staff with the military."

The framed certificate, presented to SBS Durham service delivery manager Peter Costello, will take pride of place alongside the in-house war memorial to staff killed in action while serving with the forces down the years.

Other companies receiving a similar accolade were Murray Services Ltd, Seaton Delaval, near Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, and Anderson and Wayman, of Baldersdale, near Barnard Castle, County Durham.

Lt Col Hearn returns to the region on Friday, when he thanks companies in Teesside, including Arco Teesside and Aanco Conservatories, in Stockton, and Pyeroy Ltd, Pearson International Move Managers, Leo Pharma, Countryprint and Kumon, all in Middlesbrough.