A FORMER Coldstream Guard has revisited Buckingham Palace thanks to his family and staff at a North Baddesley care home.

David Ball, a resident at Bupa Knights Grove care home on Thomas Road, had longed for a chance to return to Buckingham Palace where he spent two years as part of the Queens Guard.

The 85-year-old served there between 1954 and 1956.

David’s family and staff at the care home arranged for David to pay a visit as part of the Bupa ‘Never Too Late’ program which aims to give residents the opportunity to try new or familiar experiences.

Upon arrival, David was treated to a personal guided tour by a current serving Coldstream Guard of Wellington Barracks and was able to watch the inspection, selection and changing of the guard up close.

David's son, who is also called David, said: "Knights Grove is the perfect home for my Dad and everything they do for him is absolutely marvellous!

"The care is excellent and the lengths they go to, to make wishes come true is truly remarkable!

Danni Davies, home manager at Knights Grove, said: “We endeavour to find the things our residents used to enjoy or have never tried and make them a reality through our never too late initiative.

"David speaks fondly about his time in the Guards so we, together with his family, emailed Buckingham Palace to ask for a visit.

"To everyone’s pleasant surprise – they were happy to have him!"