Call for unified coastal armed forces covenant

He met Col Johnny Lighten, from theDuke of Lancaster Regiment, and Fylde Coun Ed Nash, Fylde Council’s Forces Champion, at the Preston Wings Centre to talk about the benefits of a single covenant for all three local authorities, as oppose to each council having their own.

Gordon said: “The Fylde coast has a proud Armed Forces tradition – we see that every year with the Blackpool Armed Forces Week, the only one of its kind in the country.

It makes sense to have one covenant for our Fylde coast councils so we can draw in more funding for services which meet the needs of veterans and their families.”

The trio also talked about the county Council’s ex-service personnel mentoring in schools’ programme.

Gordon said he would speak to officers and councillors at Blackpool Council about looking at a similar scheme.

The county council recruits veterans for the mentoring in schools programme for secondary schools.

Fylde Council’s Conservative Central ward councillor Ed Nash said: “Seven years as Armed Forces Champion at Fylde have convinced me that we should be looking at a common military covenant between Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre. This would allow one system to cater for veterans.”