A special fundraising evening for a new Gurkha memorial will be held in Ashford on Monday with 'Queen of the Gurkhas', Joanna Lumley.

The champagne and canapes reception is being held at the Everest Inn, in Station Road, Ashford from 5pm.

The memorial is being campaigned for by the Gurkha Memorial Fund charity, which is based in Folkestone.

The charity hopes it will be a fitting tribute to the 46,000 Gurkha soldiers who have died while serving Britain.

They hope to build a 12ft bronze memorial, with a 6ft statue on top of a 6ft plinth, and have already raised around £40,000 but need a further £15,000 to cover the estimated build cost.

Plans for the memorial project are currently with Shepway District Council.

Dhan Gurung, the charity’s chairman, said he hoped the memorial could be built in time for next year’s 200th anniversary of British and Nepalese relations.

He said: “This is a memorial statue to educate the Gurkhas and all the wider community.

"Until we get the full amount they [the builders] will not carry out the job.

"We always have open arms and welcome fundraising, it’s a community project."

Tickets cost £30, to book call Everest Inn on 01233 643643 or email ashford@everestinn.co.uk