SURREY County Council’s support for the armed forces has been recognised with a coveted Gold Award presented by the Duke of Cambridge.

Surrey is among the first councils nationally to receive the highest award under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

It was presented by Prince William and Defence Secretary Michael Fallon at a ceremony at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London, earlier this month.

Surrey County Council chairman Sally Marks accepted the award at the ceremony from the Duke, along with Sarah Goodman, council community partnership team leader and Canon Peter Bruinvels, the council’s civilian-military liasion officer.