A CALL for the people of Kent to support Servicemen and women from the county fighting in the Gulf is being made by the county's Lord Lieutenant Allan Willett.

The Lord Lieutenant, the Queen’s representative in the county, stressed: “I would like to call upon the people of Kent to show their support for our forces personnel and their families in any way they can.”

Soldiers from units based in Canterbury, Dover, Maidstone, Chatham and Shorncliffe - including the Royal Engineers, the Parachute Regiment and the Royal Irish Regiment are playing a major part in the operations.

Service personnel from Kent who are serving in the Gulf region with the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, a variety of Army units, and the RAF.

Also involved are many Reservists, including soldiers from Territorial Army units based in Ashford, Canterbury, Ditton, Maidstone, Rochester and Tunbridge Wells. They have left their civilian jobs to serve the war effort.

The Lord Lieutenant added: “The Lieutenancy of Kent, which itself played a key role in defence over the centuries when this county was in the front line, salutes them all.

“Our thoughts are with them and their families. I am sure the people of Kent join me in praying for a swift conclusion with minimum loss of life."