TWO innovative Minehead developments received the royal seal of approval when the Duke of Gloucester officially opened them.

The town's new £25.5m community hospital and the recently completed £300,000 Joint Cadet Centre were opened by the Duke yesterday.

Former and current West Somerset Railway staff members welcomed the Duke as he arrived at Minehead Railway Station on the steam train from Bishops Lydeard.

West Somerset Railway General Manager Paul Conibeare said: “It went very well and what a great time for him to visit - on our 35th anniversary year.”

He said a lot of background work was done to make the visit memorable for the Duke who was presented with a model of the train he travelled on.

He added: “It all went to plan and were running a few minutes ahead of schedule.”

At the hospital the duke met patients and staff before having a tour of the building and unveiling a commemorative plaque.

The 19-bed facility features outpatients' clinics, x-ray and diagnostic services, a 24-hour minor injury unit, day facilities for adults with mental health problems and rehabilitation facilities.

Jane Barrie, chairman of NHS Somerset, said: “We are honoured and delighted His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester agreed to officially open the new hospital.

“Patients, staff, hospital 'friends' and the whole community have eagerly awaited the development of the new facility.”

The duke also visited the newly completed cadet centre in Townsend Road.

The centre has been funded entirely by the Ministry of Defence and offers cadets a parade room, classroom, canteen, toilets, offices and storage area.

For more pictures of his visit, pick up your copy of the West Somerset County Gazette on sale tomorrow.