A COUPLE of forces veterans have been given an early Christmas present by their college.

Chris Gray and Carol Harrison, who are expecting their first child – a daughter – in January, were given a bumper Christmas hamper by Finchale Training College, near Durham City.

Mr Gray, 30, spent 13 years in the Royal Engineers before leaving the Army last year. He served in Afghanistan, Iraq and Northern Ireland.

Ms Harrison, 22, was in the Royal Artillery for five years until July last year, serving in Afghanistan.

Mr Gray has been studying at the college and is now a qualified security operator and looking for work.

Ms Harrison is planning to go into social work, although she has put her career plans on hold to have her baby.

The couple, who live in Newcastle, have been supported by armed forces charity Help for Heroes.

They received their hamper at the college today (Tuesday, December 9), from college principal David Etheridge; Mel Pears, head of the college’s armed forces programme; and Councillor John Robinson, the Mayor of Durham.

Finchale Training College provides training to help adults with physical or mental health issues get back into work. Around half of the 800 students it helps each year are forces veterans.