THE Princess Royal yesterday opened a new workshop at the Tank Museum and viewed a restored Second World War Matilda II tank that has been named in her honour. The workshop is the fourth phase of the Bovington museum’s redevelopment.

It has received £14m in funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund over the past 12 years. Named the ‘Gilchrist Conservation Workshop’ after Peter Gilchrist the outgoing chairman of trustees, the workshop will enable far more work to be carried out on the museum’s collection.

Opening the facility Princess Anne praised the large educational element, and benefits for apprentices and and interns.

She congratulated all those involved – volunteers, staff, and those who contributed to making a success of the museum and raising its profile.

Outgoing chairman of trustees Peter Gilchrist CB said the day had been planned 20 years ago when it was decided to make Bovington home to "the best tank museum in the world".

Museum director Richard Smith also addressed the guests and thanked all those who had been part of the project.

He revealed that the first restoration project in the new workshop would be a Churchill tank.