PRINCE Harry will visit a North-East armed forces charity Launchpad tomorrow (Wednesday, February 24) .

The Royal visitor will spend time talking to the veterans who live in Avondale House, Newcastle, and the trustees and staff of Launchpad, together with representatives from supporting agencies.

He will hear from the veterans about their experiences since leaving the Armed Forces and he will learn how Launchpad helps them.

The Prince will also be shown around the residential house which, as well as communal facilities for leisure, training and IT services, has 34 one-bedroom flats for the veterans.

Major Ken McMillan, a Launchpad trustee and founder, said: "We are delighted that Prince Harry is coming to Launchpad and the Byker Estate to meet our veterans undergoing transition.

"He will also get a good insight to our work when he speaks to the staff and members of other organisations who do so much to support Launchpad.

“The veterans are super-excited about meeting him and about being given the chance to share their stories with him.”

The Byker Community Trust (BCT), which owns Avondale House, has, in conjunction with the Armed Forces Community Covenant, invested £1m to refurbish the building.

Launchpad’s veterans also play an integral role at the heart of the Byker Estate community, recently helping refurbish a flooded resident’s home and a childrens’ drop-in centre in St Stephen’s Church.

Launchpad was awarded £171,288 from the Big Lottery Fund in June 2014 through its Reaching Communities programme.

Lyn Cole, director of Big Lottery Fund Deputy England, said: ‘Prince Harry’s visit to Launchpad is fantastic news.

“We are very pleased to have funded this extremely worthwhile project."