COUNCILLOR Julian Grubb has been named as Armed Forces Champion for Redditch.

Councillor Grubb will join five further champions from across Worcestershire who pledge to offer support and promote the needs of veterans in their area.

The champions will work with the Armed Forces Covenant Partnership and will be able to provide a perspective on services like housing that might be accessed by the armed forces community.

Councillor Lucy Hodgson, cabinet member with responsibility for communities at Worcestershire County Council, said: “There are approximately 20,000 veterans in Worcestershire with Worcester city and Redditch having a slightly bigger ex-service population.

"Representation in Redditch is important to us. We are thrilled that Councillor Grubb will be our champion for Redditch, bringing first hand knowledge of the Armed Forces.”

Councillor Grubb said: “I spent 26 years in the Territorial Army including active service in Iraq and have a son who is a serving regular Army soldier; and where possible I try to play an active role in the ex-service community locally.

"I am looking forward to getting involved with the partnership and sharing experiences and knowledge to help support those in need in the community.”

You can find out more about the Armed Forces Covenant in Worcestershire via www.worcestershire.gov.uk/partnership/info/1/armed_forces_covenant