Rooftop Housing Group's commitment to the defence personnel has been officially recognised with a bronze award from the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).

The Evesham-based housing association - which has 1,200 homes in Gloucestershire, including those in Gloucester, Bishops Cleeve, Stroud and Moreton-in-Marsh - has pledged to support the armed forces, including existing or prospective employees who are members of the community.

The bronze award came after Rooftop recently signed the Armed Forces Covenant - a commitment to support those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces and their families and ensure they are treated fairly.

Boris Worrall, Rooftop Group chief executive, said: "I am delighted that Rooftop Housing Group has been recognised in receiving the bronze award through the Employer Recognition Scheme.

"We have pledged our support to the Armed Forces community and signed the Armed Forces Covenant earlier last month. Now, we are proud to tell our community that we are an Armed Forces-friendly employer,"

Rooftop is open to employing reservists, armed forces veterans, cadet instructors and military spouses/partners.

Within Rooftop, colleagues are able to take volunteer leave for those who wish to support the cadet unit.

The housing association also supports colleagues in the reserve forces and military cadet adult instructors by accommodating their training and deployment where possible.

In addition, Rooftop will work with local authority partners and other agencies to provide accommodation for veterans, and will ensure organisational understanding of possible support requirements and recognition by external partners, where additional benefits or services may be granted to veterans.