MALVERN is to host its second Royal visit in 12 months with news that Princess Anne is to open the new respite home and hydrotherapy pool at Osborne Court.

The Princess Royal, patron of The Development Trust for the Mentally Handicapped which helped fund the £650,000 project, will perform the official opening on Tuesday, April 3.

The respite home is a purpose built, five-bed unit for children with profound disabilities which will be run by Worcestershire Community and Mental Health Trust and the Malvern charity, Kaleidoscope.

It is considered a lifeline for carers, giving them an opportunity to recharge their batteries, safe in the knowledge that their children are being well cared for.

The hydrotherapy pool, which has been fitted with multi-sensory features, will be open to the local people. It will benefit not only those with physical, mental and learning disabilities, but also people who have suffered a stroke, have a mobility problem or have 'challenging' behaviour.

Hilary Raitt, manager at Osborne Court, said they were extremely pleased that Princess Anne was coming to open the new unit.

"The aim of the respite home was to provide a place for children to go, 52-weeks of the year, including emergency provision," she said.

The Princess Royal visited Malvern last February, when she addressed a conference of the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers at the Abbey Hotel.

Prince Andrew, was in town last May to unveil the Elgar statue and water feature and the new Sea Cadets headquarters in Spring Lane.