WILTSHIRE-based Selwood Housing has signed the Armed Forces Covenant ahead of tomorrow's national celebration for Armed Forces Day.

The Trowbridge group pledged its firm commitment to supporting service personnel, veterans and their families in its communities and homes across Wiltshire, Bath & North East Somerset, and Mendip.

Barry Hughes chief executive of Selwood Housing, said: “Ahead of Armed Forces Day tomorrow, we’re extremely proud to be able to support the armed forces by signing the Covenant, especially given where we are based in Wiltshire and the long-established links to the armed forces communities in our area.

“We very much admire the armed forces who do such a crucial job and recognise the sacrifices that service personnel and their families make on behalf of us all.”

Selwood Housing pledges to observe remembrance activities, build links with local military communities and champion the employment of veterans.

Mr Hughes added: “As an organisation, we have really benefited from the skills and experiences that former service personnel have brought to us as an organisation and in turn to our customers.”

Army veteran Jonny Bolton joined Selwood Housing’s repairs and maintenance team following a 12-year military career.

He said: “While providing for our customers is a bit different to being in the Army, I made a smooth transition from military life.

"Selwood Housing’s values and structure are very similar to the military which, for me, is very positive.

“As lead gas engineer, I’m part of a team of 13 and four of us are ex-military. Our team has served in the Navy, the Artillery, Logistics Core and I served as a Paratrooper.”

Dean Hartop is a standard bearer for the Royal British Legion in Marlborough and works as a decorator.

Dean said: “I spent 22 years in the Army, did several tours and represented the Royal Artillery in sports including boxing and football.

“You carry with you the pressures of military life, both physical and mental, but I have found that there is always someone to talk to and to guide you in the right direction.”

Jock Langdon spent 10 years in the 1st Battalion of The Royal Scots, during which he was posted to Warminster.

Following his military service, he went into the building trade and now installs new kitchens for Selwood Housing’s customers.

Mr Langdon said: “I believe it’s very valuable to have service personnel as part of any company, we bring the skills the Army has taught us, our work ethics, our motivation and our willingness to do a really good job.

"We’re taught to give respect to others in the Army and that’s really important when we are helping customers.”