Princess Alexandra has agreed to become the new president of Gifford House following the death of the Queen Mother.

She is colonel-in-chief of the King's Own Royal Border Regiment and deputy colonel of The Light Infantry and the Queen's Royal Lancers.

Gifford House, the Queen Alexandra Home for Disabled Ex-Servicemen in Boundary Road, Worthing, staged its annual open day and fete on Saturday.

Thousands attended the event, which was officially opened by former MP and TV news reporter Martin Bell.

Other dignitaries attending included Dame Vera Lynn, Lady Pamela Ward and Mayor James Doyle, whose wife, Mel, played trombone for the Lancing and Sompting Royal British Legion Band.

The Band of the Welsh Guards, in scarlet tunics and bearskins, performed on the lawn of Gifford House.

This will be the last major open day at the hospital-home for several years as it embarks on a £4 million rebuild which will provide the residents with en suite facilities.

Demolition of old accommodation will begin in September.