ANDOVER-born TV presenter and campaigner Katie Piper is set to open the UK’s first ‘live-in’ burns rehabilitation centre.

Through her charity, Katie has been working for years to make the facility a reality for those with burns and scars in the UK.

The centre, which officially opens later this month, will provide scar management therapy techniques, physiotherapy treatment, and mental health support.

Patients will have access to adapted on-site bungalow accommodation, at the Fairfield Independent Hospital in St Helens, Merseyside, which aims to deliver more than 3,000 hours of direct care, treatment and activities in its first 12 months.

Speaking about the opening, Katie said: “The Rehabilitation Centre has been a goal of mine and The Katie Piper Foundation since the very start.

“Developing this service with burns patients at its heart, has been a rewarding and challenging process but we’re finally at the finish line and we’re now ready to welcome patients. It’s a very big moment for myself, the team and the patients — it’s also a huge step forward for us as a charity.

“This charity is powered by the generosity of people and companies without any government funding so this is a huge milestone for me and everyone who has supported it. This year is the charity’s tenth anniversary which is a huge milestone, so it really does make this announcement that extra bit special.”

The centre unofficially opened in January 2019 following a pilot scheme during which it welcomed several patients to help develop the service ahead of its official launch this month.

Professor Kayvan Shokrollahi, consultant burns and plastic surgeon and medical director of The Katie Piper Foundation, said: “I see people every day with a wide range of injuries including house fires to occupational injuries, accidents and sometimes assaults — injuries that can happen to anyone.” Our patients have sustained terrible injuries and have survived and reached the point of discharge from hospital, thanks to the fantastic care they have received in the NHS in the relatively small number of burns units in the UK.

“After discharge, burns survivors can now come to stay on site at this new and innovative rehabilitation centre based at Fairfield Independent Hospital to help rebuild their lives.”

Kate was left fighting for her life in 2008 when corrosive liquid was thrown over her in an attack arranged by ex-boyfriend Daniel Lynch.

She sustained injuries in the acid attack that left her permanently scarred.