CLOSER ties are being forged between a North-East council and the military in the area.

Stockton Borough Council hasmarked its support for the military community by adopting the Armed Forces Community Covenant.

The covenant is a voluntary statement of mutual support between a civilian community and its local Armed Forces representatives.

It recognises the contribution of serving personnel, their families and veterans, but also identifies practical ways the authority can help them access support to help them adjust to life after leaving the services.

Many of the commitments made in Stockton follow a review by all the region's councils into the health needs of ex-service personnel.

Although it found most were able to move successfully back into civilian life, it also identified opportunities to help them avoid disadvantage due to their time in the forces and to support those whomay need extra help.

Stockton council now has an action plan to assist with health and care needs, housing, employability and communicating with local services.

It includes developing dedicated information pages on the council's website, providing a phone number for veterans to use for extra advice, and raising staffawareness of the needs of ex-service residents.

Council leader Bob Cook said: "There is so much respect for those who have served in our Armed Forces, but some of them can find it hard to adjust to civilian life.

"By signing the Community Covenant, we are formally acknowledging our role in helping these people to thrive in their local community, once they no longer have the everyday support network which serving in the Armed Forces brings."