THE opening of a new remembrance field for fallen soldiers is to be given the royal seal of approval.

Prince Harry is attending the opening of the Royal British Legion Wootton Bassett Field of Remembrance, at Lydiard Park, on Tuesday.

The prince will plant a Remembrance Cross in the Field as well as meeting service personnel taking part in March For Honour, and set them off on their way to London, to commemorate the servicemen and women who have fallen in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He will then meet local school children before joining a reception for Royal British Legion supporters and personnel, as well as local civic dignitaries.

Swindon Council leader Rod Bluh said it was great for Swindon to have Harry present.

“I am delighted that he is coming it is a great honour, not only is he a royal but he is also an active serviceman and if he had his way he would quite like to be out there.

“I will be pleased to see him there, I am sure there will be a lot of interest from members of the public.

“It is a wonderful thing that is happening, the remembrance service is becoming a bigger event each year especially with people still serving at the moment in Afghanistan.

“We have a very close connection to RAF Lyneham and I think it is important to recognise them and the work of the servicemen.”

The Armed forces personnel Prince Harry will be meeting during his visit set off on their 1,000-mile speed march to Wootton Bassett yesterday(wed).

The organisers are hoping to raise £1m for the Royal British Legion.

The four teams from four services, the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, RAF and the Army, will begin the march in different locations, before uniting to finish the final leg of the march together.

They are due to unite in Wootton Bassett and after their audience with the royal will march into London to deliver the Book of Remembrance to The Festival of Remembrance at The Royal Albert Hall on Remembrance Day.

The Field of Remembrance, which will be situated in the walled gardens, will be open from 9am to 4pm from November 9 until November 21.

As well as the field in Lydiard Park, which commemorates those killed in action in current conflict, two other Fields of Remembrance, in Cardiff Castle and Westminster Abbey, will commemorate all those killed in active service since 1914.

For more information about the Field of Remembrance log on to www.britishlegion.org.uk.