A NEW Armed Forces Champion has been appointed by Argyll and Bute Council.

Councillor Barbara Morgan will take on the role as advocate for servicemen and women and veterans and represent their interests on the council.

Councillor Morgan said: “I am delighted and honoured to be elected as Armed Forces Champion for Argyll and Bute. Every day in different ways our Armed Forces are working to protect and support us all and I look forward to serving them, as their Champion, with the same dedication.

“I look forward to building on the already strong relationships we have with the armed forces here in Argyll and Bute, and to strengthening ties between serving troops, veterans and their families, and the communities in which they work and live.”

The Council is a partner of the Argyll and Bute Community Covenant Partnership, which it set up to bring local organisations together to share knowledge, experience and expertise and to give active and positive support to the armed forces community.

The Council, along with NHS Highland and Argyll Voluntary Action, has also shown its support for service personnel and veterans by signing the Argyll and Bute Armed Forces Community Covenant. It recognises the sacrifice made by members of the Armed Forces, particularly those who have given the most, and makes a commitment to supporting current and former Armed Forces personnel and their families working and living in Argyll and Bute.