PLANS to tackle discrimination against members of the armed forces have been backed by ex-service personnel in East Lancashire.

The Labour Party announced yesterday that it planned to host a summit by the end of this year with leading military charities to discuss the issue.

A poll conducted last year by Conservative peer Lord Ashcroft suggested one in five soldiers had been refused service in bars and hotels over fears they would cause trouble if they entered.

Denis Simpson, from the Burnley-based Veterans’ Association UK, said he welcomed any move to eradicate discrimination.

Mr Simpson, who served in the The Royal Corps of Signals for 16 years, said: “It’s not something I’ve got personal experience of but it does happen.

“We’re fortunate around here in that the forces are well-received but if there are people having problems then I would welcome any changes to stop those problems.”

Thomas Docherty, Labour MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, will bring forward the Armed Forces (Prevention of Discrimination) Bill for Second Reading in the House of Commons early next year.

If passed, the legislation could make it a criminal offence for bars and hotels to turn away service people.

Conservative Oswaldtwistle councillor Doug Hayes, whose son served in Afghanistan, said re-integrating soldiers into civilian life was a ‘two-way street’.

Coun Hayes, Hyndburn Council’s Armed Forces Community Champion, said: “I welcome anything that raises the profile of the forces and groups like Veterans in Communities and Help for Heroes who do great work raising money in our community.

“We need members of the public to become aware of discrimination and then stop it.

“Soldiers can get picked on, be it because they are in uniform or wearing a certain badge.

“Likewise, some members of the armed forces returning to civilian life struggle to cope with things.

“If this forum can help raise awareness of these issues then that’s fantastic.”