Gurkhas have been ordered to stay clear of bookies shops in Cheriton by their commanding officer.

Lt Col Christopher Darby enforced the ban on the Royal Gurkha Rifles banning them from visiting bookmakers near their barracks at Shorncliffe.

A spokesman for the Army said the ban does not apply to all bookmakers but is mainly localised to the Cheriton area.

The spokesman said: “In accordance with the Queen’s regulations, commanders may prohibit activities by military personnel that adversely affect good order and discipline.

“The Commanding Officer from 2nd Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles, has issued an instruction to all personnel stating that bookmakers in the surrounding area are out of bounds.”

The Royal Gurkha Rifles moved to Folkestone in 2001 and are based at the Sir John Moore Barracks.

Spokesman for William Hill bookmakers, Graham Sharpe, who have an outlet on Cheriton Road, said the Gurkhas will still be welcome.

He said: “They have not been banned by us and nobody has the right to prevent us from serving someone over the age of 18.

“Under no circumstances do we want people to gamble outside their means but we have not banned anyone.”