TWO heroic sailors who gave their lives at sea have been recognised in a £6.5m building project at HMS Collingwood in Fareham.

Able Seaman William Alfred Savage, who died in the Second World War, and Ordinary Seaman John Henry Carless, who died in the first First World War, were both posthumous winners of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest military honour for valour.

More than a dozen of their relatives paid a special visit to the naval base for a commemorative tree planting and plaque unveiling ceremony to declare the buildings named in their honour officially opened.

They joined the Second Sea Lord and Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command Vice Admiral Sir James Burnell-Nugent and Fareham mayor David Swanbrow, who were welcomed by Collingwood chief Commodore Adrian Nance.

Cdre Nance said: "It's a huge pleasure to be able to pay tribute to some remarkable people."

The accommodation blocks will house 146 junior rates in the Maritime Warfare School, which combines the former HMS Dryad, HMS Excellent and HMS Collingwood.

The Savage and Carless buildings are part of a £50m scheme to improve naval accommodation. Visitors were treated to a tour of the new buildings and refreshments.