MONMOUTHSHIRE gave six armed forces veterans who passed through the county as part of a charity walk a warm reception at the weekend.

The walkers are undertaking a journey around Britain on behalf of the Walking With The Wounded charity, which funds retraining and re-education of service personnel injured in action.

They visited Monmouth and Chepstow on Saturday.

The walkers – Andrew Bement, Kirstie Ennis, Matt Fisher, Stewart Hill, Scott Ransley and Alec Robotham – started their journey in Scotland on August 22. They will complete their 1,000-mile tour at Buckingham Palace on November 1.

On Saturday they arrived at Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls having walked from Hereford that morning. They were welcomed there by its headteacher Caroline Pascoe and Monmouth School’s headteacher Andrew Daniel.

And Monmouthshire council’s chairman Cllr Brian Strong, who welcomed them to Chepstow, said: “We were very pleased to welcome the Walking With The Wounded team to Monmouthshire. Their determination has made an impact on so many across the country and we wish them the very best as they continue their trail. I hope that people will give generously towards their valiant cause.”

Chepstow Town Council’s clerk Sandra Bushell, who organised the Chepstow leg, said: “It was brilliant. It was one of the best events we have had so far.

“I have to say when the guys came they were overwhelmed by the turnout. We had [Royal British] Legion riders, the AM, the MP, the chairman of the county.

“The whole of Beaufort Square was absolutely jam packed.”