THE first purpose-built recovery centre in England for injured soldiers has opened in Colchester.

Chavasse VC House, in Berechurch Road, will help hundreds of wounded servicemen return to Army life or learn to adapt to civilian life.

The £6.5million personnel recovery centre, a joint project between Help for Heroes, the Royal British Legion and the Ministry of Defence, will help troops from across the UK, including those based at Colchester Garrison.

Dozens of dignitaries descended on Chavasse VC House yesterday for the official unveiling by injured Private Alex Stringer and Gunner Maxine Ball.

Colonel Mike Newman, Colchester Garrison Commander, said: “The ties that bind Colchester and its garrison are strong.

“We in the military are immeasurably proud of the town and eternally grateful for the support it provides to our soldiers and our families.

“This magnificent facility and the people who will work in it, including staff from the MoD and charity partners, will do vital work over the years.

“I want to ensure the people of Colchester understand this work, so they lend their unrivalled support.”

Colchester MP Sir Bob Russell, Harwich and North Essex MP Bernard Jenkin, and Colchester Mayor Helen Chuah were at the ceremony to see the centre unveiled.

John Crisford, vice chairman of the Royal British Legion, said the centre would help soldiers to progress in a way previously not open to them.

He said: “They have given so much for our country and they deserve nothing less in return.”

Help for Heroes has paid £6.5million for the building, with the Royal British Legion committing £5.5million over the next ten years to run it.

Bryn Parry, co-founder of Help for Heroes, said: “We ask young men and women to put on a uniform and go and do a job, the only job where you leave the house in the morning in the knowledge you may not come back in the evening. We collectively are responsible for those men and women.''