This is Leicestershire --Leicester City Council will pledge its support for the armed forces, veterans and their families when it signs an agreement today.
The Armed Forces Community Covenant is part of a national scheme launched by the Ministry of Defence to help improve links between the military and civilians.
The covenant is a voluntary statement of mutual support between the civilian and armed forces communities.
It sets out mutual obligations, with the central pledge that Leicester City Council will look after its armed forces, veterans and their families.
Organisations including the council will be able to bid to the Ministry of Defence for grants of up to £250,000 to help strengthen ties between armed forces and the community.
City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, deputy city mayor Rory Palmer, Commanding Officer of the Defence Animal Centre in Melton, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Pope, and David Atterbury, county chairman of the Royal British Legion, will sign the covenant.
The council has appointed councillor Stephen Corrall as armed forces champion,
Leicester soldiers from the Rutland-based 2nd Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment are currently on duty in Laskar Gah, Afghanistan.
Leicestershire has strong links to the military, with five Army units based in the county.
Lt Col Pope said: "Our relationship with the people of Leicester has always been strong.
"The signing of the community covenant will formalise that support."
Sir Peter Soulsby said: "The city council has a strong commitment to supporting the armed forces community.
"We are planning a welcome home parade for the Royal Anglian Regiment returning from Afghanistan in 2014 together with a number of events to commemorate the First World War centenary." Reported by This is 7 hours ago.