IN PICTURES: Princess Anne opens Army HQ in Stafford

Princess Anne toured the MOD Stafford base for the first time since the completion of an 18-month works programme to redevelop the site for more than 1,000 extra soldiers.

The troops, from 1st and 16th Signal Regiments, recently moved to the site from Germany as part of the Army's Basing Programme.

The Princess, who is Colonel in Chief of the Royal Corps of Signals, was greeted by flag-waving schoolchildren from the new £5 million Veritas Academy, built partly in response to the demand for primary school places in the town following the military move.

It was only her second visit to the Beaconside base since 1982.

During the visit she unveiled a plaque to the new regimental headquarters of 1st Signal Regiment and officially opened the new MOD Stafford combined mess.

The royal also presented medals to seven soldiers including four who served in Sierra Leone as part of the MOD's support to the country following the outbreak of the Ebola virus.

Master of Signals, Major General Nicholas Pope said: "This visit of the Princess Royal lays another foundation stone in the project.

"After 70 years of soldiering in Germany we have started to build a new legacy – there's been some brilliant work by construction staff to deliver great results to some impossible deadlines.

"We as a Corps now need to turn this house into our home."

Lieutenant Colonel Alistair Fawcett, Commanding Officer of 22 Signal Regiment, added: "From a Stafford station perspective, today marks the completion of two units moving into brand new accommodation – it's a very special day for the station."

The project included the creation of six new living accommodation blocks for single soldiers, a mess, operations facilities for the maintenance of Falcon armoured vehicles, workshops, garages, offices, catering, retail and leisure facilities for soldiers from 1st and 16th Signal Regiments.

Princess Anne, who also planted a willow tree at the base, met soldiers and their families, and cadets from Stafford Army Cadet Force. She was presented with flowers by Hollie Scott, the 11-year-old daughter of the Regimental Sergeant Major of 1st Signal Regiment, WO1 (RSM) James Scott.

The Princess, who was in the Midlands last Friday visiting Himley Sailing CLub, was accompanied by the Lord-Lieutenant for Staffordshire, Mr Ian Dudson and his wife Jane.