WINCHESTER Cathedral's newly refurbished learning centre will be opened by the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire.

The special ceremony on Tuesday, September 2, will see Dame Mary Fagan unveil the former education centre which will then be followed by a blessing by the Dean of Winchester, the Very Revd James Atwell.

The centre's renovation works began in spring funded by the Cathedral's capital projects - part of the £10.5m Heritage Lottery Fund grant given to the Cathedral in July 2013.

It is the first stage of a two-part project which will also see a new function suite built at the centre due to be completed by spring next year.

Dame Fagan will retire on September 12, with Deputy Lieutenant Nigel Atkinson named as her successor.