A RECEPTION was held to thank North Yorkshire-based servicemen and women ahead of Armed Forces Day on Saturday.

The event at Northallerton town hall was attended by representatives of armed forces bases across the area, county council staff and representatives of the Military Kids Clubs.

An children's event was also held last week when 900 youngsters from service families and their friends gathered at Catterick Garrison for a taste of military life, enjoying a fly-past and other activities.

County Council chairman Cllr Jim Clark, said: “The armed forces community in North Yorkshire has a substantial positive impact on the county.

“Too often, the scale and positive nature of this impact is under-appreciated.”

Cllr Clark added: “We want to encourage all communities in the county to have a greater understanding of the armed forces community, and for there to be real integration and mutual respect. "We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the men and women who are prepared to put their lives on the line in defence of our country, and to their families who support them.”

More than 12,000 people work for the Ministry of Defence in North Yorkshire and more than 3,000 children in the county's schools are from service families.

The council supports the Military Covenant, which aims to ensure that forces personnel, veterans and their families are treated fairly in the provision of public services.