Hythe Hospital's 80th birthday has been marked by a formal reopening after a year of improvements.

The hospital has had £475,000 spent on upgrading its patient care areas, wards, toilets and bathrooms and a further £100,000 has been spent on giving the exterior a facelift as well. The measures also include a newly-equipped minor injuries unit.

A new birthing unit, with a large pool, homely atmosphere and modern facilities, is another key improvement added this year.

Before unveiling a plaque and declaring the revamped hospital officially open, Belinda, Lady Montagu spoke of her long association with Hythe Hospital.

She said: "It means a great deal to me to be asked back to formally open this hospital on its 80th birthday. I opened the Millennium Suite here only a year ago and have seen many wonderful changes since then."

The Millennium Suite was the Friends of Hythe Hospital's Millen-nium Project and involved a £250,000 special care unit for the seriously ill.

Earlier this year, the latest wave of improvements meant a six-month closure and Doctor Anand Chitnis, chairman of the New Forest Primary Care Trust, thanked staff for their hard work and dedication during the refit.

"Hythe," he said, "is now a shining example of a modern community hospital complete with a modern matron. We should all be very proud of the improved environment and services we can offer our patients."

Angela Jeffrey, chief executive of New Forest Primary Care Trust, described the hospital as a "model example" of what can be provided at local level in community hospitals.