Plans to create a £22 million rehabilitation centre for wounded and injured armed forces personnel have been revealed.

The idea is to increase the capacity of current facilities at HMS Drake in Plymouth's Devonport Naval Base, making it the main recovery centre for Royal Marines and Royal Navy personnel in the UK. A large majority of the personnel will be casualties that have been at war in Afghanistan.

Forces charity Help for Heroes have already pledged £10 million to the project, but could donate more. An official fundraising event for the projects launch is expected to be held before the end of the year.

Bryn Parry, the co-founder of Help for Heroes, told The Herald: "The intention is to create a recovery centre where guys can go after receiving initial treatment at Headley Court. There area a lot of people whose injuries are very severe, we need to create a place where these guys can go and recover in a military environment."

The project will mean the existing facilities at HMS Drake will be significantly enhanced, increasing accommodation and overall space. The plans are being spearheaded by Hasler Company, which was formed last September as a direct response to a rise in the number of injured military personnel in Afghanistan. The company aim to help injured marines recover, rehabilitate and reintegrate back into either military or civilian life.

HMS Drake, which already boasts ten special needs beds, ramps and disabled toilets and showers, the unit also has specialist rehabilitation instructors, MoD physiotherapists and gym equipment which helps the healing process. It is likely when the unit expands there will be more vacancies for rehabilitation instructors and professionals to fill physiotherapy jobs.

"I envisage that by early December we will have raised £10 million, there is then at least a further £12 million to be raised to pay for it. We are nearly in a position to launch publicly, but this project will happen," Mr Parry added.