The Countess of Wessex will return to her old school this week.

The former Sophie Rees-Jones, who was brought up in Brenchley, will open the new lower school at Dulwich Preparatory School, Cranbrook, on Wednesday.

She will take a tour the school and meet pupils as well as old school mates.

On the same day she will officially reopen Horsmonden Kindergarten which has been rebuilt at a cost of more than £300,000 after two years of fund-raising.

The project is run by Locket Green group and the Frances Austen Memorial Trust, which owns and manages the site.

The building was demolished some time ago but the kindergarten moved into a temporary home at the Methodist hall, before moving to its plush new surroundings, opposite Horsmonden Primary School, two weeks ago.

Denise Bignell, one of the team behind the project, said: “There has been a great group of people with different skills sets behind this. We aim to finish the rest of our fund-raising by the summer.

“It has been really positive. It’s not just the facilities – the building is amazing.”

She added: “We are all extremely excited about our royal visitor. We are delighted that she wanted to do the opening for us.”

The group is still raising about £20,000 to refurbish the whole of Locket Green. A pet show and ball are planned.