A BASILDON veterans club had a great turn out at a recent meeting.

The Basildon Veterans Breakfast Club meets once a month and gives members of the Armed Forces a chance to talk to one another in an informal setting.

The club is part of the national Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Clubs network, which has more than 200 clubs around the country.

It had a special meeting on Saturday, with mayor David Harrison and Stephen Metcalfe, MP for Basildon South, attending.

There were 45 veterans present, who enjoyed a breakfast at Toby Carvery, Festival Leisure Park, Basildon.

Kevin Woods, 53, of Basildon, a Falklands Veteran with the Army, is a keen member of the group, which was set up by Dave Bliss, an RAF officer.

He said: "It was very nice to have the mayor and MP with us.

"They were chatting to everyone who was there which was really nice to see.

"It went really well.

"We usually only have about 20 to 25 people so there were a lot of new faces which was great.

"There was a really good atmosphere and everyone got along really well.

"There were event two Normandy veterans who attended.

"Everyone was saying how good it was."

For more information, search Facebook for BBVBC Basildon Borough Veterans Breakfast Club or visit the national Breakfast Club web site at afvbc.co.uk/basildon-borough-veterans-b-c/

There is also a Southend Veterans Breakfast Club that meets on the first Saturday of each month at Toby Carvery, in Prince Avenue.