The community have been showing their support for the armed forces with Carlisle City Council resigning the Covenant next March

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly.

The government-led initiative focusses on helping members of the armed forces community have the same access to government and commercial services and products as any other citizen.

Councillor Elizabeth Mallinson, Portfolio holder for Health and Wellbeing, and Armed Forces Champion said: "As a council, we are committed to supporting the Armed Forces and want to strengthen our knowledge about the issues facing them and their communities."

Carlisle City Council has achieved a Silver award under the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme for their support to Defence and the wider Armed Forces community.

The Covenant helps members of the armed forces in various ways including: providing education and encouraging family well being, having a home and starting a new career.

On Friday 10th December Cumbria Freemasons also showed their support by signing the Covenant at Carlisle Castle.

The Freemasons say that there has always been a special relationship between themselves and the armed forces. This is because they both value the same principles of Integrity, Respect and Friendship.

A spokesperson from Cumbria Freemasons said: "The Covenant is a pledge that Freemasons acknowledge and understand that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy, and the society they serve with their lives.

"The covenant supports serving personnel, service leavers, veterans, and their families and is fulfilled by groups or and organisations who have signed the covenant and committed to making a difference by supporting those who are or who have served the country."

Councillor Mallinson added: "We’re proud of achieving the Employer Recognition Scheme Silver award and are already working towards achieving the Gold award in the future.

"There are many benefits to being a forces-friendly employer including the potential to recruit resourceful employees that have world class transferable training and accredited skills."