ARMED forces personnel are to be honoured with a civic reception every three months for their efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A leading Buckinghamshire councillor said the receptions would go some way to making up for the lack of welcome home marches in the county.

These could not take place as personnel did not come back to England en masse, said Pauline Wilkinson, chairman of Buckinghamshire County Council.

Instead RAF, language and Territorial Army members are sent overseas as individuals to support larger units.

The reception will be held at the Judges Lodgings in Aylesbury on Monday.

Invitations have been sent to men and women at Royal Air Force High Wycombe, Royal Air Force Halton, the Defence Language School at Beaconsfield and county TA units.

Mrs Wilkinson said: "The aim of the reception is to bring the local authorities and members of the armed forces even closer together and for us all to consider what tangible support we might be able to offer the local units in the future.

"The county is extremely proud of the service they have all given and continue to give on behalf of the country.

She added: "Many of the guests attending the reception would have deployed on operational duties as individuals supporting other units located elsewhere in the country rather than deploying as whole units.

"It has therefore been difficult for the county council to express moral support by holding Welcome Home Marches' through our towns but it is hoped that these receptions will go some way to thanking the service personnel for their loyalty and dedication."

Other guests will include Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant, Amanda Nicholson, the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, and representatives from service charities and the county's district councils The next reception will be held on April 14 followed by a further reception in July.