TAP into the huge skills of our servicemen and women.

That was the plea from Brigadier David Maddan, commander of HQ 15 (North East) Brigade to York’s tourism bosses.

At a lunch in the new five-star Cedar Court Grand Hotel, hosted by Visit York, which has 650 tourism partners in the city, the brigadier and two other officers made a case for employing some of the 800 people who annually leave the Army and RAF.

He said since the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts there was huge public support for the services, based on genuine sympathy.

But he said this had little to do with employment and use of top-end skills which tourism and other employers might need – people who were leaders, capable of running logistics, skilled technicians and engineers and who already organised daily meals for hundreds.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of Visit York, told the gathering of hoteliers and others: “I hope you regard this as a springboard to get the best people for our industry in York and North Yorkshire.”

Would-be employers can seek more information by phoning Heather Nicholson at the Career Transition Partnership on 01748 872898.