Work has started on a £6million army recovery centre in Colchester.

MP Andrew Robathan, Minister for Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, cut the first turf.

He said the government "did not understand what we were getting into" when it moved British troops into Afghanistan and Iraq.

Military commanders hope the centre - one of four being built with cash raised by Help for Heroes - will provide a "springboard" to new careers for injured veterans.

See Monday's Gazette for a special report.