Finding ex-military service personnel a meaningful career once they leave active service is the best way to honour them, according to the Hire A Hero campaign.

The campaign, set up to support those leaving the Army as well as helping them find a job, is calling on North-West businesses to show their admiration beyond Armed Forces Day this Saturday.

The plea comes as many ex-service men and women struggle to find employment across the country and in the region.

Despite the Career Transition Partnership helping them to find employment, providing retraining and coaching in CV writing and interview techniques, a survey conducted by Hire A Hero reveals that many are disappointed with the support that they received when leaving the forces.

Ian Adshead, former veteran and operations manager for Hire A Hero, said:“I’ve been told the reason why ex-serviceman can’t get a job is that the skills gained in the forces are not recognised by civilian employers. We are indebted to our service men and women, but the regions’businesses need to do much more to help them when they leave the army.

“And that’s exactly what one major UK employer is doing. JD Wetherspoon’s is hiring hundreds of ex-services personnel and we are open to discussions with any businesses in the North-West who are willing to work in partnership and support the campaign.”