MILITARY personnel on active service abroad are to have their council tax relief doubled from Friday.

The move, part of the Armed Forces Covenant announced in May, will come into force on July 1.

From that date council tax relief for personnel on eligible overseas operations - such as Iraq, Afghanistan and now Libya - will rise from 25 per cent to 50 per cent.

Based on the average council tax per dwelling, it will amount to a saving of about £296 for an average six-month tour.

The move is particularly relevant to North Yorkshire, which has one of the greatest concentrations of military bases anywhere in England.

And today, North Yorkshire County Council will be signing up to the community element of the covenant, recognising the special relationship between the armed forces and the county’s civil organisations.

Supported nationally by £30m in Government cash over the next four years, the objective is to make it easier for service personnel, families and veterans to access help and support, both from the Ministry of Defence and from the civil community.

The county has been chosen as one of the first places in the UK to sign up in recognition of the work which already takes place to support service personnel.

“The military presence in North Yorkshire is hugely significant and beneficial for the county – both socially and economically," said county councillor Carl Les.

“Catterick Garrison is one of the biggest Army garrisons anywhere in Europe, and of course we are also home to a number of important Royal Air Force stations.”

Other measures being introduced nationally includes more support for schools with a significant number of service children.