THERE are more than 2,000 armed forces veterans in Worcester, figures suggest.

The Government does not keep a comprehensive record of all armed-forces veterans living across the UK, but the Ministry of Defence does publish a variety of statistics which give an insight into the veteran population in the area.

According to the 2011 census, Worcester is home to an estimated 1,617 working-age veterans — those aged between 16 and 64.

That's around 2% of the overall population, higher than the England and Wales average. Of these, 92% were men and 7% women.

A total of 552 people in Worcester have received some kind of armed forces pension or compensation for injuries caused by service in the armed forces, according to MoD statistics covering to March.

Of these, 514 are veterans, with the remainder made up of family members or personnel who are still in active service.

The War Pension scheme was a compensation programme for armed forces personnel who were killed or suffered injuries or ill health as a result of service, from the start of the First World War up to April 2005.

It consists of a weekly or monthly pension, or lump sum.

In Worcester, at least 132 veterans had received compensation or a pension under the scheme as of the end of March, according to the latest figures, as have 25 widows and widowers.

The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme replaced the WPS in 2005.

To date, 12 veterans and 13 serving personnel in Worcester have received compensation under it.

This consists of a lump sum, with an additional ongoing payment for more serious cases.

Dependents who have received compensation because of the death of a veteran are not included in the figures.

Members of the armed forces who have served for at least two years are entitled to a pension once they reach retirement age.

In Worcester, 441 people currently claim a military pension.