A website offering discount cards to the district's armed forces is now live with 75 military personnel and a wide variety of businesses - including 10 in Grantham - signed up within the first week.

Businesses registered include a garage, plumbing supplies, a funeral director, marketing company, health, fitness, tennis and gym facilities, with more expressing an interest.

Among the first to sign up after the site went live last Monday (11 Nov) were Grantham's Harrowby Heating & Hardware Supplies, Empire Clothing, Grantham Tennis Club, Kays of Grantham, Juice E-Vaporium, Teaspoon Tea Company, Robert Holland Funeral Director, Farrow Friends, Street CarsTaxis and House of Colour Tattoos & Piercing.

Members of the armed forces, their families, reservists and veterans are all eligible for the discount card scheme, launched last week by South Kesteven District Council.

As well as helping service-related personnel who live in the district, the card seeks to support stronger communities by encouraging people to buy local.

Businesses are being encouraged to be creative with their offers and discounts, using the card to promote new services or gain custom in quieter periods, and benefit from access to a new audience from the thousands of people with a military connection living in South Kesteven.

The card is the latest step in a programme aimed at supporting the district's services community, co-ordinated by Armed Forces Officer Michelle Woolman-Lane who heads up a cross-border Military Covenant project involving South Kesteven, Rutland and Market Harborough.

Michelle said: "We are delighted to see how quickly those in the military community are applying for our new discount card, and the interest being shown by businesses to support the project.

"The call is now to businesses to get behind it. The quick uptake from military personnel should be a real incentive.

"The card is demonstrating how much those who serve or have served our country are appreciated in the district.

"At the same time, we believe the scheme will further support our local shops, businesses and wider communities."

To register for the discount card or for more information about supporting the initiative click on the red button below.