Children from military families in North Yorkshire have given an insight into life in the Armed Forces as part of a month-long celebration.

North Yorkshire Council is supporting the Month of the Military Child during April, which has been an annual celebration since 1986 when it was first staged in the USA.

As part of the event children and families of Armed Forces personnel in North Yorkshire have been invited to offer a glimpse into their world by sharing a photograph that is special to them, and that encapsulates military life.

A video has also been produced featuring service children from across the county talking about what makes them proud, their biggest challenges, and what they would like people to know about military life.

It has been made in collaboration with the Catterick branch of British Forces Broadcasting Service - a charity involved in broadcasting and communications for the Armed Forces for over 75 years - and NY Youth Voice.

More than 100 entries were submitted for the photographic challenge, and five images, plus a ‘Champion’s Choice’ have been shortlisted.

Each of the shortlisted entries, which have been chosen by a panel of judges, is to be honoured with a special commendation and a prize for a family day out.

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The council’s executive member for children and families, Cllr Janet Sanderson, said: “Month of the Military Child is a time to applaud Armed Forces families and their children for the daily sacrifices they make and the challenges they overcome.

“It is important to put a spotlight on military children, because they sacrifice so much that allows their parents to selflessly serve.”

There are 10,770 military personnel in the county – one of the largest numbers nationally.

3,653 service children also attend 223 schools across North Yorkshire.

The county's service children’s champions, Jess Greenhalgh and Angela Campbell, provide support for the large number of military children in the county, their families and schools.

They aim to raise awareness of the challenges faced by service children, create opportunities for them to come together and celebrate and to advocate on their behalf.

Jess and Angela will visit all five finalists in the last week of April to present them with a trophy and prize at school.

RAF Leeming Group Captain Gareth Prendergast, who was one of the judges, said: “I was really impressed with the quality of the pictures and how they evoked the emotions and feelings of being a parent and carer of service children.

“It is wonderful to recognise the importance of our children to family life in the service.”

The photographic entries and news from the service children’s champions are available on social media at https://linktr.ee/servicechildrenschampion

The video can be viewed by visiting the Service Children’s Champion Facebook page.

More information on support for children in military families is also available by emailing: servicechildrenschampion@northyorks.gov.uk