EVERY November we tend to focus on the armed forces and on Remembrance Day and those who gave their lives in the pursuit of peace.

While the emphasis has, rightly, long been the last century’s two World Wars, more modern conflict like Iraq and Afghanistan has come to the fore. However, while we probably buy a poppy, observe the annual two minutes’ silence and are moved by dedicated TV programmes, for thousands of individuals war has changed their lives forever.

These include those who have tragically lost limbs or suffered other catastrophic injuries from roadside bombs or snipers’ bullets. There are also those, mainly men, who have returned from the horrors of war changed inside and still struggling to cope.

Families are irrevocably damaged by this and relationships torn apart. A significant number of these scarred souls end up homeless; a significant number end up in prison.

It’s not a situation that will be sorted overnight, but it is extremely heartening that, in Bolton at least, a centre especially for ex-servicemen and women is to open.

It’s the brainchild of Cllr Martin Donaghy who suggested the idea during his tenure as Mayor of Bolton last year, and he has since driven it forward. Now, empty shop premises on Deansgate in the town centre are to be converted into the town’s first dedicated Armed Forces Centre with building firm Seddons kindly offering to carry out renovations free.

Cllr Donaghy wanted the new centre to be a place where any ex-service personnel could call for information and support about their return to civilian life. Where people could come for a cup of tea, a game of pool and to meet others in similar situations to themselves – because isolation is where many problems start or are compounded.

Among those who have pledged their support already to the scheme is the University of Bolton, which has put aside £100,000 to provide courses for people leaving the Armed Forces who want to progress with their education.

It’s a wonderful scheme and, hopefully, many other organisations – and the town - will also get behind it.

Ex-service people have often done a really tough job well, in particularly difficult circumstances. Their cause may not always be the most popular politically but this does not detract from the quality of their service. We owe it to them to help ease them back into everyday life, safely and well.