HRH The Earl of Wessex has presented a North East council with an award for its support of the Armed Forces community.

Durham County Council received the Ministry of Defence’s Gold Award, as part of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

The award recognises employers who demonstrate outstanding assistance towards serving and ex-members of the Armed Forces.

Cllr Lucy Hovvels, MBE, Cabinet member for adult and health services and our Armed Forces champion, said: “The Gold Award is the highest honour within the Employer Recognition Scheme and I was very proud to receive it on behalf of Durham County Council.

“Our service personnel and veterans have some extremely valuable skills and experience to offer employers and we will continue to fully support their recruitment to the council.”

To find out more about the support Durham County Council offers to servicemen and women, veterans and their families visit http://www.durham.gov.uk/armedforces