CHERWELL District Council’s chairman has signed a county-wide Armed Forces Community Covenant pledging mutual support between civilian and military communities.

Oxfordshire is the first county to launch the initiative which aims to encourage support and awareness of issues effecting the armed forces and was reported in Monday’s Oxford Mail.

Timothy Hallchurch, the council’s chairman, said: “The Community Covenant will help ensure the armed forces community does not suffer disadvantage as a result of their service and that they receive special treatment where it's appropriate.”