A FAMOUS face was on hand to officially open a new nursing home in the city .

Dr Christian Jessen, a London-based GP best known for his roles in Embarrassing Bodies and Supersize vs Superskinny, opened the Gwen Walford House on Hampton Park Road on Tuesday.

Although used to the sights of London, Dr Jessen said that the nursing home and the surrounding area was beautiful.

He said: "I don't get to do events like this very often so it's nice to be here. I have personal experience in different types of nursing so it is always good to come and visit homes like this. It's a beautiful place."

There is already a short waiting list for the house, which has eight residential beds on the ground floor and 22 other nursing beds.

It was named after a woman who worked at Hampton Grange, based next door, as a secretary and treasurer when it was a home for elderly blind people. She worked at the home for 15 years until she died in an accident in 1975.

Marketing manager Helen Playdon said: "We are so pleased that Dr Jessen opened the house. He is a GP so he has a good connection with the health service and his main interest is keeping people well."

To mark the opening, Dr Jessen unveiled a brass plaque inside the house.

Gwen Walford House is owned by Richard Claridge of Claridge Nursing Homes, which also owns Lynhales Hall Nursing Home in Lyonshall and Hampton Grange Nursing Home.