OXFORDSHIRE County Council's support for the armed forces has been praised as a example of good practice in a new report.

The Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT) and the Local Government Association have this week published their Our Community, Our Covenant report into how councils work to support the armed forces.

The Armed Forces Covenant aims to encourage charities, local authorities, businesses, communities and individuals to work with the military to offer support to service personnel and their families, as well as reservists and veterans.

Oxfordshire was one of 12 areas of the country which the FiMT focused on.

The report said: "Oxfordshire County Council goes further than having a single elected military champion. "In order to strengthen the level of engagement between the council and the armed forces, each of the bases in Oxfordshire has a designated military champion.

"This has the effect of strengthening the links between the armed forces and the council.

"Champions take it upon themselves to be the link between an individual base and the county.

"This requires that they develop and maintain relationships with relevant officers."

Oxfordshire’s overall military champion is leader of the council Ian Hudspeth.

Mr Hudspeth said: "A lot of work has gone in to strengthening links with the military and I know our various military bases value the way we have been working with them in recent years.

"To be highlighted as an example of good practice is very rewarding."

The military bases supported by the council are Bicester Garrison, RAF Brize Norton, Abingdon Station, Shrivenham Defence Academy, Vauxhall Barracks in Didcot and RAF Benson near Wallingford.