A HOLIDAY respite home in North Waltham will get a royal visit next week.

HRH Sophie, The Countess of Wessex will visit Sebastian’s Action Trust’s respite holiday house, The Bluebells, in North Waltham next Wednesday.

The facility provides a holiday home for seriously-ill children and their families.

The 50-year-old countess will be greeted by the new Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire Nigel Atkinson, the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane Councillor Roger Gardiner, and the North West Hampshire MP Sir George Young.

During her visit, she will be given a tour of the facilities and see some of the services that Sebastian’s Action Trust provides to seriously-ill children.

In addition, she will meet a number of children and families supported by Sebastian’s Action Trust, the chief executive and founder of the charity, Jane Gates OBE, as well as her team of staff and trustees.