SEVEN veterans are gearing up to stand on the front line for Virgin Trains after securing jobs with the company following help from an instrumental support hub in the town centre.

Davy Potter, Alban Chennells, Lee Bellingham, Andrew Watkins, Danny Mulgrew, Tom Clark and David Bramham are waiting on a start date to be confirmed for their customer services roles at Manchester Piccadilly station.

Each of the former servicemen received job advice and the use of facilities at the Armed Forces Community Support Hub, based in the Gateway, ahead of applications for the roles.

Davy, who was disappointed with the help given to him at the Jobcentre Plus, admits he fears what may have happened to him if he did not visit the support site.

"When I moved to Warrington, I did not know anybody but once I came here it allowed me to bond and is like a network system," he said.

"I hate to think what would have happened if I did not come here - I was really down at the time and did not have many options of what I could do.

"As we are all ex-military personnel here, we bond very well and it is easy to speak to everyone."

There are now a further 20 positions which have been made available by Virgin Trains, and the hub, which is funded by Warrington Borough Council and St Loye’s Foundation, is hopeful more veterans can secure employment.

"The hub is here to support all members of the armed forces and community, including serving veterans and their families," said St Loye's north west transitions manager Stephen Harrison.

"It is all about partnership working - St Loye's works closely with many organisations to ensure whatever your need, you get linked up to the right support for you.

"It is amazing how much difference it can make to sit down and chat things through with a cup of coffee, with someone who understands your issues."

The hub is open each weekday from 10am-4pm, for further information call 246955 or e-mail stephen.harrison@stloyes.ac.uk.