A CIVIC reception has been held to recognise two council employees being promoted to top jobs in the Reserve Forces.

Employees Jim Easton, from Bonhill, and Danny Rainey, from Braehead, have clocked up 77 years between them as reservists and the council has publicly thank them for their achievement and commitment to the armed forces.

Jim, who works as a waste services driver was appointed to Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of Army Training Unit (ATU) (Scotland), and with 26 years service, is the only Reserve Regimental Sergeant Major in Scotland.

Out of hours support assistant Danny joined the Army Cadet Force in Helensburgh detachment in 1966 when he was just 14 years old. Danny rose to the position of Company Sergeant Major with Dumbarton West Company and was promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major Instructor, a position he had held twice in his career.

Provost Douglas McAllister hosted the reception in Clydebank Town Hall to mark Jim and Danny’s achievements.

He said: “This is a remarkable achievement by both our employees and a great example of how the actions of two men can benefit not only West Dunbartonshire but the whole country.

"Jim’s 26 year commitment and Danny’s astonishing 51 years is truly commendable and I am delighted to host this reception in their honour."

Jim said: “I thoroughly enjoy my work with the Reserves and I would like to thank my colleagues at the Council for their continued support, which allows me to maintain my position within the forces.

“I am delighted with my new post which includes the “Leadership Code” champion and offering advice to the Commanding Officer on welfare matters for recruits under training and staff for the Army Training Unit."

Danny added: “I have had a great time over the last 51 years and met some wonderful people along the way. The organisation has changed over the years, mainly with the drop in the entry age to 12 and allowing girls to join.

"The organisation has more than 41,000 young people between 12 and 18 years old and 9,500 adults across 1,600 battalions, so we constantly need volunteers to help these young people progress in the Cadets.