IT is clear that our armed forces put their lives on the line in dangerous war zones around the world.

Those signing up for the Queen’s shilling often do so in the full knowledge that one day they may have to make the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf.

It is therefore shocking and wrong that there are repeated stories of them being let down once they return to civvy street.

It appears that the authorities remain out of touch in keeping pace with their needs on their arrival back to this country.

With so much emphasis these days on the importance of mental health, it appears that a significant proportion continue to slip through the net.

Few of us will ever know what it is likely living and working in hostile environments where an explosion, a sniper shot or losing your best friend is all expected to be a part of a day in the office. Neither can we begin to understand what effect this environment then has on the psychology of the individual when they are back home and out of uniform.

This is simply not good enough and Barrow’s Labour candidate Chris Altree is right to draw attention to this failure, particularly given his frontline experience.

Those signing up to do their duty need to be reassured that they will get the support they need.