GURKHA soldiers are celebrating after being told they will be allowed to apply to live in the UK and get British citizenship.

The announcement was made by Prime Minister Tony Blair and followed a campaign by the soldiers which had won huge public support.

He said that the "enormous contribution" made by the Gurkhas, who have fought as part of the British Army for almost 200 years, should be recognised.

The Prime Minister announced that Gurkhas who have served more than four years will be able to apply to remain in the UK. It is expected that most will be granted indefinite leave and citizenship after a year.

However, the rules will only apply to those discharged from the forces after July 1, 1997.

Gurkha soldier Bishnu Tamang, a warrant officer who is based in Folkestone, welcomed the news.

He said: "I am very pleased, this is good news for the Gurkha soldiers who have fought for this country. We are very grateful to the British public who have supported us.

"But I do not agree with the 1997 cut off date. All soldiers should be allowed to stay, there should be no difference."

Peter Carroll, the Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for Folkestone and Hythe, helped the Gurkhas in their campaign. He was appalled that Gurkhas were not allowed to stay in the UK, even if they had served as much as 30 years with the UK armed forces. In August, the Government deported a retired Gurkha from Dover back to Nepal.

He said: "I am overjoyed. This is the right and just thing to have happened. If they are good enough to fight for us, then they are good enough to live here as citizens."

However, Mr Carroll disputed the clause which meant the rules would not apply to all. He said: "I believe this will still leave about 100 Gurkha soldiers, around 50 of them living in Folkestone, as a forgotten few. Surely this should apply to all who have served more than four years."

Mr Carroll said he would be holding further discussions with the Gurkhas about the issue.

Members of the Gurkha regiment have fought for many years for rights to British citizenship. They have also campaigned for better retirement conditions.

There are about 3,500 men in the Gurkha regiment. In recent years the Gurkhas have served in Bosnia, Kosovo and Sierra Leone.