Help for Heroes has submitted a planning application for a personnel recovery centre at Tidworth.

An appeal by the Wiltshire Times and Gazette and Herald newspapers has raised more than £50,000 towards the centre.

The application involves putting temporary accommodation on the tennis courts next to Tedworth House in Tidworth as an interim measure, while the charity brings forward its plans to convert and extend Tedworth House.

The three temporary buildings will have 28 beds and Help for Heroes aims to get them up and running by May if planning permission is granted.

The recovery centre will help servicemen and women injured in Afghanistan, who will go to the centre at the third stage of their recovery after being treated in hospital and at Headley Court.

The centre at Tidworth will support injured troops, aiming for them to make a successful return to duty or move on to a civilian job.

Help for Heroes’ plans for a permanent centre at Tedworth House, which is owned by the Ministry of Defence, comprise a 50-bedroom residential unit, gym, kitchen, interview and training facilities and office accommodation.

Rosie Trousdell of the charity said: “Help for Heroes is delighted that the next step in our long-term plans has been taken. The planning application for Tedworth House has been submitted to Wiltshire Council and we very much hope that if it’s approved, work will begin quickly and Tedworth House can then become one of our personnel recovery centres, giving those injured in the line of duty the very best training and opportunities to face a fulfilling future, whether in the forces or returning to civilian life.”

l The film of a Christmas show, which raised more than £2,000 for Help for Heroes, will be screened at The Athenaeum in Warminster on Sunday at 6pm.

The variety show, featuring local talent, was performed at The Athenaeum last month, and the celebration event will also offer a chance to say goodbye to the show’s producer, Adrian Cunningham, who is moving to Devon.