HAMPSHIRE civic chiefs have paid tribute to a team of wounded ex-serviceman walking a thousand miles for charity.

The councillors gathered at Winchester’s Great Hall to recognise the six servicemen and women on a 72-day expedition throughout mainland UK.

Walking With The Wounded, made up of four British and two US service personnel, began their odyssey on August 22 in Scotland before finishing at Buckingham Palace next month.

The charity supports veterans with physical, mental or social injuries to develop new careers outside the military and provide long-term security for themselves and their families.

The team visited the Rifles Museum at Peninsula Barracks in Winchester on Thursday.

County council leader Roy Perry then welcomed them at the Great Hall.

Cllr Perry presented a cheque for £5,000 to the ‘Walking With the Wounded’ charity on behalf of the people of Hampshire.

He said: “We are delighted to have been able to welcome the team from ‘Walking With The Wounded’ to Winchester, and pay tribute to their remarkable efforts. There are over 30,000 military personnel based in Hampshire, the largest contingent in the country, and we place enormous value on our long and close relationship with the forces.

"Through the Military Covenant, which Hampshire was one of the first to sign, around £1.7 million in grants has been secured to date for dozens of projects across the county which benefit the forces, their families and the wider local community.”

Edward Parker, chief executive and co-founder of the charity, said: “The Walking With The Wounded, Walk of Britain team is very grateful for the support we have been given by Hampshire County Council.

"The Walk of Britain completes Day 48 in Winchester, with a further 320 miles to go until we complete our thousand mile endeavour in London on November 1. Those taking part demonstrate that despite injury, our wounded are able to achieve extraordinary things.”