The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has praised Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service for helping military veterans back into employment.

The MoD gave the fire service the Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award 2024.

The fire service received the award for its commitment to programmes such as the Veterans Guaranteed Interview Scheme.

The service was one of the 47 silver award recipients named across the North West this week.

Brian Massie, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service’s assistant chief fire officer, said: "We are proud to have our commitment to the Defence and Armed Forces community recognised with this accolade from the Ministry of Defence.

"The military and the fire service have always had a fundamental bond, and serving personnel, reservists and veterans bring tremendous value to our service.

"We will continue to do all we can to ensure Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service is a forces friendly employer."

David Allen, Cumbria’s police, fire and crime commissioner, said that the award recognises the value that serving personnel, reservists and veterans bring to their service.

"It is crucial that we create a workforce that is genuinely diverse in its representation and in its thinking.

"Veterans bring great value to their employers in all walks of civilian life, after military service.

Colonel Mark Underhill OBE DL, chief executive at the North West of England and the Isle of Man Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association, said each award recipient showed "they are prepared to support their reservists, service leavers, spouses, veterans, Cadet Force adult volunteers and cadets in the workplace".