Gurkhas get freedom of town

[Kyt]

BBC NEWS | England | Kent | Gurkhas awarded freedom of town

A Gurkha regiment has been out on parade after it was granted the Freedom of Sandgate, near Folkestone, in Kent.

The 2nd Battalion, the Royal Gurkha Rifles, from Shornecliffe barracks, marked the occasion by marching through the town, accompanied by a piper.

Sandgate mayor, Geoffrey Boot, said the honour was long overdue, and the troops were "valued members of the community".

About 60 troops from the regiment marched along the High Street to the Sir John Moore memorial statue.

Many of the soldiers are due to deploy to Afghanistan in a few weeks time.

[Antipodean Andy]

Good luck to them.