EX-SERVICEMEN are picking up their pens to fight for the Royal British Legion's Honour the Covenant campaign.

The campaign calls for greater rights and fairer treatment for serving, injured and veteran servicemen and their families from the Government.

The Legion says that the Government's Armed Forces Compensation Scheme is not adequate, that service and ex-service personnel should get better health care and is calls for more support for bereaved families.

Members of the Downs branch, in Deal, are throwing their weight behind the crusade and are urging the people of the town to write to their MP Gwyn Prosser.

Leading the campaign in the town is Keith Atkinson, chairman of the branch, and secretary Malcolm Wells, who have both written to Mr Prosser.

Mr Wells, of Water Road in Deal, served in the Royal Marines between 1960 and 1984.

He said: "The armed forces are treated shabbily. Our servicemen don't get treated as well as the Dutch, Americans and Australians, that's why the Downs branch and all its local members are backing the campaign."

For more information about the Honour the Covenant campaign, visit www.thecovenant.org.uk.