A boy band favourite welcomed a new extension to the county’s children’s hospice after renovation work costing over £900,000.

Harry Judd from McBusted, whose wife Izzy comes from Harpenden, was guest of honour at Keech Hospice Care in Luton last Thursday (March 26) where he helped open a new unit, following extensive refurbishment.

Thousands of children across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes have benefited from the centre since its opening on March 28, 2000 by HRH Anne, The Princess Royal.

The building work was funded by grants from the Department of Health, the Amateurs Trust, the Montague Thompson Coon Trust, Trusthouse Charitable Foundation and the Thomas Cook Children’s Charity as well as many individual donations.

Chief Executive, Mike Keel, said: “Keech is a very special and unique place and now with the extension and refurbishment completed we will be able to do so much more for families.

“This new unit represents a significant clinical investment in the quality of care for our children.

“Our task now is to raise enough funds each day to ensure we have enough nurses, doctors and carers to give the children who come to the new building the quality of care they deserve.”