Fiennes underwent heart surgery after collapsing in Bristol

The 59-year-old polar explorer was taken by paramedics to the BRI, a regional centre for heart surgery, in June.

He suffered a heart attack after boarding a plane at Bristol International Airport.

The expanded centre features a 17-bed cardiac intensive care and high dependency unit and new fourth operating theatre.

The seven surgeons employed by the centre treat more than 1,000 patients from the South West in a year.

Heart patients who has previously been treated at the hospital were involved in its development.

Many of their suggestions were taken on, including the creation of a comfortable area to relax in.

Clinical Director at the centre, Franco Ciulli, said: "We are delighted with the state-of-the-art facility.

"It provides our highly-skilled teams with a better environment in which to treat heart surgery patients."

Sir Ranulph is due to open the new unit on Thursday, 15 January.