PICTURES: £1m Skegness Joint Cadet Centre is officially opened

The centre, near Skegness Fire Station, caters for army and air cadets and replaces a previous building on Grantham Drive.

During the unveiling of the plaque, Mr Clark said: "I can see from the outside what a wonderful facility it will be.”

However, he admitted his own experience of the army was ‘very limited’.

He said: “I was not in the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) at school, although I had a godfather who was a retired colonel and tried his best to encourage me.

"In fact he was the spitting image of Capt Mannering for those who remember him in Dad’s Army.”

Amongst the other special guests were Skegness Royal British Legion chairman Kevin Woolley and Vice-Chair Tracy Turner.

“The new facility is outstanding and can’t endorse Cadet life enough if you have a child aged 13+,” said Kevin. “Both the RAFAC and Army Cadets afford such wonderful opportunity for young adults.”

While there, Kevin and Tracy thanked Mr Clark and his for the invitation to the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on Thursday, May 8.