A memorial garden remembering servicemen and women who lost their lives during battle has opened at The Royal British Legion Village.

More than 100 dignitaries, volunteers and former service personnel turned out for the unveiling of the Garden of Honour at the Aylesford memorial village last Friday.

Work started on the site in June 2014 after the Friends of Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) secured £320,000 through donors, corporate donations and sponsorship to design and construct the garden.

The venue will be used for events throughout the year, particularly around the time of the Remembrance Day celebrations in November.

Those who have lost loved ones through conflict will be able to use the venue as a place for reflection and companionship.

The garden has the Edwin Boorman Memorial Bandstand, parade ground, amphitheatre seating, a memorial square and an area for raised gardens and flowerbeds.

The HR Pratt Boorman Family Foundation made a donation for the bandstand in memory of the late KM Group president and RBL Industries chairman Edwin Boorman, who died in 2012.

The opening was attended by his daughters, foundation secretary Cecilia Buchanan and KM Group chairman Geraldine Allinson.

Work started in June 2014, when Lieutenant General Andrew Gregory, the Chief of Defence Personnel, broke ground at the site, starting the project marking the centenary of the First World War.

RBLI chaplain the Rev Chris van Straaten opened the garden.

He said: “This memorial and garden is the visible link between the past, present and the future and it stands as a constant reminder of those men and women who in the past and today defend those in need and who work for peace, often in places far away from these shores.”

During the service, there was also a reading from John Riggs, a Burma Star holder and resident of Queen Elizabeth Court, and a performance of harvest festival songs from the Valley Invicta Primary School in Aylesford.

An original garden, on the same plot of land, was opened by HRH The Duchess of Kent in 1980. However, it quickly became unsuitable for larger events and could not accommodate disabled people. The new site is fully accessible.

Members of the public can attend the garden, which is open at all times.

Donate and volunteer to help with the upkeep of the garden at www.rbli.co.uk