WAR heroes are welcome here – and plans are in hand to launch a Heroes Welcome scheme across the Great Yarmouth borough – joining a growing national network showing open support for the British Armed Forces.

Heroes Welcome is not a charity or a discount scheme, but involves local businesses saying to servicemen and servicewomen: “We’re proud to serve you”.

Businesses are being asked to display the special Heroes Welcome sticker in a visible place, whether it is a caf�, pub, shop, restaurant, hotel or guest house, or a taxi, to show a little special appreciation.

The Heroes Welcome sign will show businesses are going to give a special warm welcome to members of the Armed Forces, and they can choose whether to give a special discount or a service upgrade.

The member of the Armed Forces will show his or her warrant card to show they are serving their country.

One of the places already signed up in Norfolk is Breckland.

In York, where it has been embraced enthusiastically, Lt Col T Gray of the Coldstream Guards, said: “To see a full rank of taxis proudly bearing the Heroes Welcome stickers with pride brought a tear to my eye.”

The Great Yarmouth borough scheme will be registered on the website www.heroeswelcome.co.uk, where there will be a page dedicated to the borough and telling servicemen and servicewomen which businesses have signed up.

It does not cost anything to join and receive the large sticker.

It is hoped to officially launch the scheme to co-incide with Armed Forces Weekend on June 25 and 26.

Any businesses interested in being the first to sign up should contact Laura Goodman, mayoral and civic events officer at the borough council. by emailing lauragoodman@great-yarmouth.gov.uk

The scheme is being backed by the Town Centre Partnership, Greater Yarmouth Tourist Authority and Great Yarmouth Borough Council.