A BREAKFAST Club for current and former armed forces soldiers in Clacks celebrated its first anniversary over the weekend.

The Alloa branch of the Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club was established last year, to act as a social group for current and former soldiers, and their partners.

George Penman, 71, the group's founder, told The Advertiser: "About 20 people turned up on Saturday, male and female, and two pipers came along.

"I want to thank Heavenly Bakes 'n' Cakes for the cake they provided, and Alloa's Wetherspoon for always giving us space in the venue.

"The group is a place where local veterans can come together once a month.

"There are people in the club from all parts of the forces, from pay masters to infantry grunts.

"There is a wide age range too, with the youngest member being about 30-years-old and the oldest being 80-years-old.

"We used to have the naffy where everyone would sit down and have a blether and talk, and it's just to give them all back that sort of camaraderie again."

The club gets together at The Bobbing John pub in Alloa between 10am and 12 noon on the third Saturday of every month.

George, who served around the world with the Corps of Royal Engineers from 1962 until 1977, claims he could not believe last Saturday marked an entire year since the club started.

He said: "I was surprised, I didn't realise it was one year - my wife had to point it out to me."

As well as acting as a social gathering, the club provides members with a place to turn for support - should they ever need it.

George said: "If any members of the group are needing help with anything then we can help them within the group.

"There are a few members with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and they come along too and they really enjoy it."

The Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club have branches across the UK, and are completely free for those join.

To find out more information about the Alloa branch, use the following link: tinyurl.com/yd96jf9k.