Work has started on the £3.1 million project to expand the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport.

The linchpin of the project is the futuristic-looking John Fieldhouse Building, named in honour of the late Admiral of the Fleet Lord John Fieldhouse of Gosport, the most senior submariner in history.

And it was his widow, Lady Midge Fieldhouse, who officially got work under way when she wielded a pickaxe, with a little help from the Museum’s director, Cdr Jeff Tall.

Resembling a submarine, the Fieldhouse Building will house the museum’s educational collection, the historic X-craft mini-submarine HMS X24, a science gallery, additional space for exhibitions, and a lecture/corporate entertainment area.

Lady Fieldhouse said: “The family were absolutely delighted when we first heard about the proposals, and I am thrilled that the project is going ahead.

“My husband was a dedicated submariner and would have been extremely proud that this new building, which is to be a major part of the submarine museum, will be named after him.

“We shall keep a close eye on the project, and I’m very much looking forward to seeing the work when it is completed.”

The Heritage Lottery Fund gave a £2 million grant towards the cost of the building, which should open early next year.