Royal British Legion plans Lilleshall Battle Back Centre

The Royal British Legion has revealed it plans to open the first of its specialist rehabilitation centres in Shropshire.

The £30m Battle Back Centre, run in partnership with the Ministry of Defence (MoD), is expected to open in Lilleshall next year.

Up to 800 injured troops a year could be treated at the centre.

A spokesman said it would focus on sports and adventure training to help rehabilitate wounded personnel.

Fundraiser Peter Whalley said the centre would give those injured in the line of duty the confidence and self-esteem to get back into civilian life or restart their service career.

Blair memoir pledge

The Battle Back Centre would be entirely funded and run by the Legion, which has launched its 90th UK Poppy appeal.

The MoD has pledged to provide the doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals needed.

Last year former Prime Minister Tony Blair pledged to donate all of the proceeds from his memoirs to the centre.

The Legion said it expected most injured personnel who were able to return to active duty would go through the centre as part of their recovery.

Lilleshall is also the home to the national sports centres, and is the base for Britain's Olympic archery and gymnastics teams.