The Duke of York has added his support to an appeal to raise funds for a new London-based research centre dedicated to restoring hearing to deaf people and preventing deafness in those at risk.

Deafness is the second most common disability in the UK, affecting almost nine million people, and Deafness Research UK's new Ear Institute brings together nine leading research teams at the UCL to create a world-class centre in hearing research.

The Duke has now toured the new centre, which opened this week, and pledged his support for a new appeal which aims to raise money to attract the best young scientists to work at the Institute.

He said: "I am delighted to be supporting Deafness Research UK's appeal to raise urgently needed funds to help fill the Institute with the young talented scientists it needs to carry out its research programmes and I wish them every success in the future."

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