THE only living survivor of the famous Second World War ship HMS Hood paid a special visit to Fareham's HMS Collingwood to officially open a £3m building named in its honour.

Ted Briggs, 81, was the guest of honour at a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the new personnel and administration centre for the base's Maritime Warfare School yesterday.

He joined representatives from the HMS Hood Association and users and contractors involved in the project for a commemorative tree-planting.

HMS Collingwood spokeswoman Marie Arnott said: "It was wonderful to see so many people who have been involved in the different versions of HMS Hood over the years.

"There was someone who got involved in the dive to discover HMS Hood.

"There was also a 104-year-old who served on the very first Hood in 1920. He was thrilled to bits to be there and sang us a song, which brought a tear to a few eyes.

"It was a big occasion and a momentous day."

The building provides medical, dental and personnel support to all servicemen and women throughout the Maritime Warfare School, which combines the former HMS Dryad, HMS Excellent and HMS Collingwood. Construction took 38 weeks to complete.

HMS Hood sank with all but three hands off the Danish Straits on May 24, 1941. The sinking shocked the world, with the loss of more than 1400 servicemen.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Fareham, Councillor David Swanbrow and his wife Jane, civic leader Councillor Sean Woodward and 80 guests were also welcomed to the event by Collingwood chief Commodore Adrian Nance and Surgeon Rear Admiral Mike Farquharson-Roberts, who is the Navy's medical director general. Visitors were treated to a tour of the new building before lunching in the wardroom mess.