A ROYAL seal of approval was given to The Game Conservancy Trust's new research centre, near Fordingbridge, when it was officially opened by the Duke of Westminster.

The special guest arrived by helicopter on Friday to meet and greet those who gathered for the opening of the £249,000, purpose-built centre.

The duke, who is a long-standing supporter of the trust and a vice-president on the trust's council, unveiled a plaque on the front of the smart, cedar wood structure, which replaces a prefabricated building built in 1968 as a temporary measure.

He praised the new lab and the generosity of The Garfield Weston Foundation and Barry and Dena Webb for their donations, which enabled the project to go ahead.

"It's thanks to your generosity that this building is here today," he said.

"I am a great supporter of the trust and I have seen the Game Conservancy go from strength to strength. Their work is now of international importance."

The main beneficiary of the research laboratory is the trust's entomology department.

Over the years, the trust's entomologists have carried out a diverse range of farmland research on arable flowers, insects and habitats for the benefit of game and wildlife.

Dr John Holland, the trust's head of entomology, said: "We are delighted with this new facility as it provides a much better working environment for our staff.

"It will also enable us to expand our farmland ecology team and this will be very good news for wildlife and the countryside."