FORMER serviceman Terence Turnbull enlisted the help of his former commanding officer to open his new furniture store.

Lt Col Matthew Murphy, of the 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery (RHA), officially opened Turnbull and Thomas's showroom just months after it launched online.

Mr Turnbull and Gareth Thomas have opened at Studio 24/25, The Old Offices, Urlay Nook Road, Eaglescliffe, and offer a discount to service men and women.

Lt Col Murphy said: "Terence is a great example of a talented soldier having a fulfilling and successful career in the British Army and then going on to launch a thriving business.

"It was a privilege to officially open the showroom and I am sure that Terence and Gareth will go on to further success with the business."

Mr Turnbull, managing director, was a Battery Quarter Master Sergeant when he retired from the Army.

He said: "It was a proud moment to have my former Commanding Officer officially open Turnbull and Thomas’s showroom and help promote what I, and Gareth, feel is an important element of our business – supporting men and women in the Armed Forces who are serving and protecting their country.

"I hope our gesture not only will acknowledge the vital role played by the military in today’s society, but also allow service personnel and their families to have money to utilise elsewhere. I have personal experience of the cost of resettling and moving home that comes with being in the Services."

Mr Turnbull was Battery Commander Lt Col Murphy’s logistics expert and their service together included "intense militia fighting" in Iraq.

He served for 24 years and was renowned for his meticulous attention to detail and his distribution, re-supply and logistics expertise.

He served alongside Lt Col Murphy in peacetime roles in Germany, Poland, and Canada and in the Iraqi war. He also did tours of duty in Northern Ireland and was involved in both Gulf Wars, Bosnia and Cyprus.

After leaving the Army, Mr Turnbull gained in-depth retail experience, including four years as the general manager of an online furniture retailer. Mr Thomas, director, is also managing director of Teesside manufacturing firm, Icon Plastics at Eaglescliffe.

The new showroom works in conjunction with the website at turnbullandthomas.co.uk.