Fund-raisers reaped the fruits of their labours during the royal opening of Sussex's only children's hospice.

Many of the parents and staff at the Chestnut Tree House launch yesterday had worked for years to raise the £5 million needed to make their dream a reality.

Now children with life-limiting and potentially fatal conditions throughout Sussex can enjoy some of the best respite care facilities in the country, allowing their families to get a much-needed break.

After a tour of the hospice in Angmering, north of the A27, HRH Princess Alexandra unveiled a special plaque to mark the grand opening.

The Princess talked with some of the children who will benefit from the hospice's sensory room, swimming pools and music centre, before presenting patients with certificates for their fund-raising efforts.

Mary Wragg, of Worthing, attended the opening with her sons Jacob, nine, and George, five.

Jacob suffers from Hunters syndrome, which dramatically affects mental and physical development.

Mary said: "The benefit to us will obviously be the respite care, allowing a break for Jacob and myself."

Hugh Lowson, chief executive of St Barnabas Hospice and Chestnut Tree House, said: "We need £1.5 million for operational costs each year and have to keep the money coming in every year. Sussex will get behind the cause because it's their hospice."