Locks Heath / Western Wards receive a Royal visit. Fareham Community Hospital officially opened by HRH Princess Anne on 21st October

HRH Princess Princess Anne paid a visit to the Western Wards yesterday to officially open the long-awaited Fareham Community Hospital in Sarisbury Green.

The Princess Royal who looked warm in a green calf length coat and black gloves, was welcomed to the Hospital by chairman of NHS Hampshire Professor Jonathon Montgomery before being escorted around the new facility by senior clinical staff and managers. She then declared the Hospital officially open and unveiled a commemorative plaque.

Six-year old Chloe Garrett was picked to present The Princess with a posy after the unveiling. Chloe has Downs Syndrome and has been receiving treatment for two holes in her heart since she was 12 weeks old.

"The Princess is lovely," said Chloe's Mum, 48 year old Pauline Garrett of Fort Fareham Road in Fareham. "She asked me how often Chloe comes here and about her treatment - she's a lovely lady. We were a bit nervous about Chloe presenting the posy, as it could have gone either way - she could have refused. But she did really well - we're so proud of her."

15 year old Amelia Christy from Sarisbury Green also met the Princess Royal:

"I just don't know how to describe it!" She said excitedly afterwards. "We were asked if we could change our appointment so that we could meet her - of course we said yes. I dislocated my patella in September when I walked into a chair and The Princess asked me all about that. She was very interested in what I'd done and what we were doing to fix it."

The brand new purpose built Hospital opened its doors for the first time in May this year. It brings together NHS Services that were previously provided by a number of different sites, meaning a range of services are now provided in one place for Fareham residents.

"It's much easier coming here than it was going to Southampton," says Chloe's Mum Pauline. "It's very nice here."

Towards the end of her visit The Princess spoke to the reception staff. "She was very down to earth with a great sense of humour," one receptionist, who preferred to remain anonymous, told me. "She said to all of us: 'If people don't like the receptionist they don't come back..!' "

More photos to follow shortly!