WOOD carvings created by a Billericay-based group have been visited by Prince Williams as he officially opened a new remembrance centre at the National Memorial Arboretum.

The 150-acre site, in Alrewas, Staffordshire, has 330 memorials to a number of different causes.

Many of these were created by the Essex School of Woodcarving, which was based in Billericay.

Among the creations the group made are a huge polar bear, and 21 wrens in memory of the members of the Women’s Royal Naval Service who were killed aboard their transport ship in 1941.

They also carved a golden eagle for the Berlin Airlift Organisation, a storyteller which is in the chapel and a lion for the Lion Association.

The Duke of Cambridge met with veterans of all three armed services as he officially opened the new £15.7 million remembrance centre at the arboretum yesterday.

Unfortunately, Peter Benson, who runs the Essex School of Woodcarving, was unable to attend the event, but was pleased the group’s work was admired by the royal.

He said: “The arboretum is a wonderful place and it is wonderful to be a part of it.

“The polar bear was the first piece we made for the arboretum and that was 20 years ago now.

“Most recent was the lion which was two years ago.

“We went up there a few months ago and the carving is looking a little worse for wear - but that is only to be expected due to the weather it has been out in for 20 years.”

He added that repairs are planned for the bear, and the other carvings were all looking good.

As well as unveiling a plaque marking the official opening of the new centre, Prince William visited a police memorial to place a wreath paying tribute to Westminster attack hero PC Keith Palmer.

The new centre, which will allow more visitors to visit, opened its doors last October after receiving a £2.85 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Writing in the programme for the event, Prince William said: “The National Memorial Arboretum honours and remembers those men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of this country.

“This is a place for special memories, many of them sad, but hopefully, many of them happy too.

“We all have an important job to do in keeping these memories alive for future generations and this new remembrance centre will play a significant role in that duty.

“The new learning centre will ensure that future generations are engaged in learning about the contributions and sacrifices that have been made. They will ensure the memory of the fallen is safeguarded through the years.”