Chelsea Pensioners have been cared for at the site for 313 years

The 313-year-old Royal Hospital Chelsea needs to update its Sir Christopher Wren-designed Long Wards accommodation and build a new care home.

Modernising the Long Wards will mean ensuite bathrooms, so the hospital will be able to admit women veterans.

The hospital, which cares for retired Army veterans, is looking for sponsors.

'First women eligible'

There are no women Chelsea Pensioners because the first women to serve as full-time Army regulars, and therefore be eligible to join, have only recently begun reaching retirement age.

Secretary of the hospital, Michael Legge told BBC News: "At the moment one of our problems is that pensioners live in what we call 'the berths'... but they have communal bathroom facilities, which are not really suitable for mixed occupancy."

The new care home is due to be built by the end of 2007, after which the Long Wards will be modernised and should be finished by 2009.

"When we do that, we will be able to admit women," said Mr Legge.

The 1960s care home was demolished in October

It is likely that the first intake of women will be between six and eight, but eventually will reflect the percentage of women in the British Army - about 7%.

Mr Legge added that a survey of Chelsea Pensioners showed that a "substantial majority" were happy to have women joining them.

Founded by Charles II in 1682 - the Royal Hospital buildings on the Chelsea Embankment were completed in 1692.

Its old infirmary, a care home for the frailest residents, was a 1960s addition to the hospital which suffered leaks and "concrete cancer" so needed replacing.

But the introduction of the Care Standards Act 2000 made the need to modernise the old Long Wards to meet the new requirements more pressing.

While it gets a grant from the Ministry of Defence to pay for its running costs, it does not extend to new buildings.

It has already raised �9m, thanks to a �5m donation from the Royal British Legion and several other private donors, but is on the lookout for some big sponsors.