MILITARY veterans have been promised a £10million mental health boost.

Lord Paddy Ashdown, former party leader. Royal Marine and current campaign leader, visited Colchester to tell a group of veterans personally.

He was joined by Sir Bob Russell at The Lakes, off Turner Road, yesterday.

He said: “It is absolutely vital we support them.

“It is the debt of honour we owe them for keeping us safe.

“The reason I am here is some people do not realise a broken mind is as terrible as broken limbs.

“I am very proud to make this commitment and very proud to be here with Sir Bob.”

Sir Bob Russell added: “We can be very proud of what we have here already with Chavasse House and this funding is an example of how the Liberal Democrats can help deliver for our service personnel.”

The party is promising the cash boost to more than double the money currently available from Government to help veterans overcome problems such as post traumatic stress disorder.

Part leader Nick Clegg said: “We ask our armed forces to put their lives on the line for our country. Therefore, it is only right that as a country we support them for life, whether they remain in the armed services or after they leave.”

The money would be spent over five years and include funding for community based therapy, short stay hospital treatment, support though a telephone hotline and more targeted employment support.

During the visit Lord Ashdown spoke to representatives from Veterans First and Leavers’ Link.

Veterans First helps former service personnel to get help and access services.

They work in partnership with local health services from a base at The Lakes, part of the Colchester General Hospital complex specialising in mental health.

Leavers’ Link was formed in Colchester and was set up to help businesses connect with skilled people leaving the UK Armed Forces to help the personnel find jobs and the businesses to get excellent employees.