THE Duchess of Cornwall is visiting Hampshire next week to open a new facility for servicemen and their families.

Hampshire County Council has built a Poppy Pod village where members of the armed forces can enjoy free holidays.

The duchess will unveil a poppy-shaped plaque and meet military families who are currently using the 20 wooden camping pods.

Built at the Tile Barn Centre in Brockenhurst they occupy the former site of a hospital where wounded servicemen were treated during the First World War.

The duchess will be welcomed by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson, the chairman of Hampshire County Council, Cllr Keith Chapman, and the leader of the authority, Cllr Roy Perry.

Mr Atkinson said: “There are over 20,000 military personnel based in Hampshire, more than any other county, and I know Her Royal Highness and the people of Hampshire place enormous value on our long and close relationship with the Forces.”

Cllr Chapman added: "We are delighted that the duchess will open the Poppy Pods village.

"The pods continue Tile Barn’s historic legacy of offering respite for the armed forces, now in a unique and modern way."

Cllr Perry added: "This project not only has links to the past, but offers an important and welcome break for the Armed Forces, many of whom have experienced conflict.

"We have received wonderful and heartfelt messages from military families who have stayed at the Poppy Pods, who appreciate our gesture of giving something back to the Armed Forces community.

"The Poppy Pods are an important part of the County Council's legacy in recognising and remembering the sacrifices made by our Armed Forces personnel.”

The duchess will also visit St Nicholas’ Church to view the graves of soldiers who were treated at Tile Barn during the First World War.

During her visit she will inspect a stained-glass window that was recently installed inside the church, honouring those who were connected to New Zealand No.1 General Hospital 100 years ago.

The solar-powered Poppy Pods have been funded by £250,000 from the Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant scheme and £50,000 from the Brockenhurst branch of the Royal British Legion.

Each Poppy Pod is named after a battle from Amiens to Ypres, and pine seeds from Gallipoli have been planted nearby.