Carlisle City Council has been given an award by the Ministry of Defence for its support of the defence and Armed Forces community.

The city council has been given a silver award under the MoD's employer recognition scheme, which was launched to reward employers who employ serving and former members of the Armed Forces community.

The award also recognises employers who are flexible, should their employees need time away for training or mobilisation, if they are reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.

Johnny Mercer, the Government's minister with responsibility for armed forces, veterans and civilian people policy, said that he was grateful for the "positive attitude and flexible policies" adopted by Carlisle City Council and the other winners of this year's award, in recognition of the commitments made by reservists and cadet force adult volunteers.

"The breadth and diversity of the winners this year shows how business support for the Armed Forces continues to grow no matter the sector, company size or location," he said.

"I am delighted that so many companies are supporting our people and that, through this scheme, we can give them the public recognition they deserve."