by Mary Louis

Full support is urged from the public as defences are put in place to combat any threat to Folkestone's Gurkha battalion.

There are rising fears that substantial, pending cuts to the Ministry of Defence budget represent a real threat to the Royal Gurkha Rifles, based at Shorncliffe.

Folkestone and Hythe MP Damian Collins was due raise the issue at a meeting with Defence Secretary Liam Fox yesterday.

Mr Collins said he would also bring the subject up in the House of Commons tomorrow and put down a question for question time with the Defence Sercretary on September 13.

Meanwhile, as many people as possible are urged to sign an online petition supporting the Gurkhas on a new website.

The website and a Facebook page were set up last Friday by Shepway district councillor Peter Carroll, of the Gurkha Justice Campaign.

In just 48 hours, it was signed by 1,100 people.

As the campaign gathers momentum, Cllr Carroll believes there is urgency in gaining as much support as possible before the Government's Strategic Finance Review reports at the end of October/early November.

MP and former army officer Patrick Mercer claimed there were plans to disband the Gurkha battalion because the Ministry of Defence had been told to cut up to 20 per cent of its £39.6bn budget.

Cllr Carroll said: "I have been watching the situation for several weeks and feared maybe this time the rumours about this terrible act might be true.

"If this is going to be an issue, we must ensure we let them feel the white heat of public opinion and opposition before they make a decision.

"Why set aside the highly effective and loyal Brigade of Gurkhas at Folkestone, of immense value to the British Army for 200 years, because there is a short term economic crisis?"

Mr Collins has signed the petition. He said: "I believe we must keep the Gurkhas. They will have my full support.

"Just to be clear though, no proposal has been made by a Government Minister to cut the Gurkhas, this is just speculation."

Join the Facebook page Save the Gurhka Regiment and sign an online petition or print out and sign a paper version at www.savethegurkhas.co.uk