A COACH company has been recognised for its commitment to helping ex-military personnel who live in Tadley.

Mortons Travel, which is based in the town, has been recognised as an armed forces-friendly company along with its parent company Lucketts Group, by achieving the government’s Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) bronze award.

The accolade means that Lucketts Group, along with Mortons Travel, is officially classed as an armed forces-friendly company, open to employing people part of or leaving the forces and their spouses.

It also means the company has displayed strong levels of support for the armed forces.

Morton Travel’s managing director Tony Lawman is a former member of the armed services himself, having served for more than 22 years in the British Army.

He said: “Having served in the forces, I know first-hand the positive attributes that ex-servicemen and women can bring to a company.

“Being able to offer guaranteed interviews to veterans is something we’re proud to offer and it’s also very beneficial for our business.

“It brings candidates with great precision, timekeeping and communications skills to our door; all vital attributes for working in the coach industry.”

To celebrate the award Solent Coaches sent one of its vehicles to join those from Lucketts’ other brands, along with a pair of military specialist vehicles.

Lucketts, which acquired Mortons Travel earlier this year, says it has long been a supporter of the UK forces community.

Last year it signed the Ministry of Defence’s Armed Forces Covenant and it regularly supports former servicemen and women by taking part in resettlement careers fairs and offering positions to transitioning military veterans.