THE Duchess of Cornwall officially opened new accommodation blocks at RAF Leeming during a flying visit to the region.

She visited the North Yorkshire air base in her role as the honorary air commodore of RAF Leeming on February 19.

She officially opened the £10.4m project named after two hero Canadian pilots who flew from RAF Leeming in World War Two.

The state-of-the-art buildings are named after group captain Robert Turnbull and wing commander Vaughan Ganderton of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

The pair flew Halifax bombers from RAF Leeming in World War Two and the two were highly decorated for their bravery.

Camilla also took time to tour the base, near Northallerton, during her visit to meet personnel and two veterans of the Canadian air force.

Group captain Bill Gibson, officer commanding RAF Leeming, said: "It’s a very big day as this is the first time she has been here.

"We are really looking forward to meeting her and to showing her the new accommodation blocks named after pilots who flew from here.

"The visit is very important from a station viewpoint and she has taken a very keen interest in what we are doing here."

Squadron leader Morgan Williams, of the Joint Forces Air Control Training and Standards Unit, taught Prince Harry at RAF Leeming.

He said: "She asked about what we do and, of cause she has the family connection as Prince Harry spent time here in 2007.

"To be honest though he was just a number to us but we train them well. It’s the first time I’ve met her and I will look back on this day."

Honorary colonel Bob Middlemiss and flight sergeant Roy Moffatt were at the visit in honour of group capt Turnbull and flight sgt Ganderton.

The duo are also part of a process to twin RAF Leeming, home to 100 Squadron, with One Wing Canadian Force, based at Kingston airfield, near Ontario, Canada.

Honorary colonel Middlemiss, of the 427 Special Association Squadron of the RCAF, was a Spitfire pilot in the Second World War.

He said: "We are looking to strengthen links between ourselves and the RAF.

"We will look to send people to RAF Leeming and they are to send people to Canada and we hope to share experiences too."