SUFFOLK'S shining lights among its medical and hospice care are preparing to welcome a Royal visitor.Ahead of the Queen's official visit this summer, her cousin HRH the Duke of Kent will be visiting the St Elizabeth Hospice in Ipswich and the John Grooms' Icanho Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre on April 4, 2002.

SUFFOLK'S shining lights among its medical and hospice care are preparing to welcome a Royal visitor.

Ahead of the Queen's official visit this summer, her cousin HRH the Duke of Kent will be visiting the St Elizabeth Hospice in Ipswich and the John Grooms' Icanho Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre on April 4, 2002.

The royal guest will be touring and unveiling a plaque to commemorate the £800,000 new educational centre and upgraded wards at the St Elisabeth Hospice on Foxhall Road.

Manager of the hospice for the terminally ill, John Goodship, told the Star: "It was a major project and it is a major honour for all those who have worked so hard towards the project.

"The hospice has received royal visitors before - Princess Anne opened the hospice in 1989 and has visited since."

In Stowmarket, the Duke will be visiting the brain injury centre on Chilton Way, Stowmarket, which has been run by the Christian-based charity, John Grooms, since it opened in 1998.

A spokesman for the charity said: "He will be meeting staff, clients and carers and will experience first hand how the Icanho has made a difference to the lives of hundreds of Suffolk residents who have had to face up to the challenges of a serious brain injury."

The centre offers a range of rehab services including speech therapy, physio and social work support.

John Grooms executive director, Reverend Mike Shaw, added: "We are delighted to have the opportunity to show the Duke of Kent the work of the dedicated team."