SOPHIE Countess of Wessex is visiting Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital next Tuesday (March 13).

The Countess is the Royal patron of Love Musgrove’s MRI Million appeal.

Love Musgrove is the hospital's official charity and is currently fundraising for a much-needed third MRI scanner at Musgrove.

An incredible £646,000 has already been raised towards the campaign thanks to the generosity of people across Somerset.

The Countess will be given a tour of the hospital’s radiology department and will have a chance to meet some of the staff before attending a reception at the Cooper Associates County Ground, home to Somerset County Cricket Club.

Colin Drummond, the hospital’s chairman, said: "It is an honour to have the Countess of Wessex as our Royal patron for this vital campaign and we are delighted to have her support.

"Her Royal Highness is a long standing charitable supporter and her role with Love Musgrove will help to highlight our £1 million campaign and give us the boost needed to help us to achieve our target.

"We look forward to welcoming HRH to Musgrove next week to speak to some of our hard working staff who do everything they can to ensure patients have the best care possible."

Your County Gazette, which are backing the campaign, will be bringing you coverage from the visit in next week’s paper and here online.

To find out more about Love Musgrove or to donate, click here.