WAR veterans will be given the chance to rebuild their shattered lives in Glasgow's East End.

They will be given a place to stay and offered a range of services to help them overcome problems such as addictions, aggression and homelessness.

The hand of friendship is to be extended to young ex-military personnel when work on a new £6.7million housing development is completed next summer in Cranhill.

Comprising 51 flats, the new residential unit will be run by the charity Scottish Veterans Residences (SVR) which will provide veterans with a mix of independent and supported accommodation. They will concentrate on offering a helping hand to younger veterans, especially those who may have served in Afghanistan and Iraq and are now struggling to cope with civilian life.

They will be given accommodation, training, education and jobs, with SVR working closely with local councils and charities.

The project reached a significant milestone when Scottish Veterans Minister Keith Brown put the final roof tile in place during a topping out ceremony.

He said: "This project acknowledges the great contribution made by the people who serve in the armed forces.

"I recognise our duty to give our wholehearted care and support to our veterans and I'm delighted that the Scottish Government is providing £2.3m towards the overall cost of this vital new development."

The remainder of the funding is being provided by Scottish Veterans Residences, which is currently conducting a fund-raising drive with support from other ex-Service charities.

Helping build the development is labourer Tam Hughes, a 29-year-old former tank driver and gunner who served in the Afghanistan campaign and who now lives in Shettleston.

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk