Home for familes of injured soldiers opens in Birmingham

444 British soldiers have died since operations started in Afghanistan and many more injured.

Most who survive are brought to Birmingham for treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and today (Fri 21st) Prince Charles will officially open a brand new home for their families, so they can stay on site while their loved ones are treated.

Up to 54 families can be catered for in the 18 bedroom house which has a massive communal kitchen, dining room, a number of lounges, cinema room and children's play area.

It cost 4.2 million pounds to build, with the hospital charity needing 250 thousand pounds a year to keep it running.

Although the UK is now working towards withdrawing troops from Afghanistan, army officials say the centre will still be used for the families of soldiers getting treatment for things like training injuries.

Earlier in the day Prince Charles visited the Marie Curie Hospice in Solihull: