Thousands of Gurkhas have demonstrated outside the High Court in London - joined by two of their most high-profile supporters.

On Tuesday, human rights lawyers Howe and Co began a class action against the Government on behalf of 2,000 Gurkhas who were refused the right to settle in Britain, despite serving in the country’s army.

The right had been denied them, along with a full pension, as they retired before 1997, when the regiments left Hong Kong and came to Britain. Gurkhas from across the UK, including coach loads from Folkestone, made a stand outside the court to show their feelings.

Actress Joanna Lumley’s father served with a Gurkha regiment during the Second World War, at one point becoming involved in an action that led to Tul Bahadur Pun winning the Victoria Cross.

She stood with the Gurkhas outside the Royal Courts of Justice, along with Born Free Foundation trustee and actress Virginia McKenna, whose late husband Bill Travers was a major with the Gurkhas in Malaya and Burma.

Wearing a Gurkha badge her father had made for her, Miss Lumley told the Gurkhas how when her father wanted to talk in the house without her understanding, he would slip into Nepalese. "I’ve always felt that I am partly Gurkha," she added.

And she told us: "The scarf I’m wearing is called a Gally and it’s a Gurkha scarf. Seventy years ago my father had just fallen in love with my mother and this was the first present he gave her.

"This is one of the most important days for the retired Gurkhas and the history of our long and honourable association with them. I hope that we will no longer be stuck with this law that discriminates against the Gurkhas."

Folkestone Gurkha Gopal Giri was hoping to find a seat in court to hear the case, which should reach a verdict within a month. He said: "This is so important because of our 200 colleagues who are waiting here already and their applications are at the Home Office.

"The rules are very strict; without the status we are seeking they will not be able to work."

Actress and latterly chair of trustees with the Born Free Foundation Virginia McKenna stood in solidarity with the Gurkhas.

She said: "My husband was in the war with the 9th Gurkhas in Malaya and Burma, he worked with Wingate and fought with the 136 brigade behind enemy lines.

"He absolutely adored them and his gravestone is adorned with Kukri knives. He absolutely loved those men and they were so loyal, and brave, and fun. They were really good friends."

Human rights lawyer, Martin Howe, said: "This is one of the tragic abuses of human rights that is currently going on as far as we are concerned in the UK itself. It is a matter of national shame and is a matter that cannot be morally justified."

• Audio: Listen to what Martin Howe had to say to kmfm >>>

Kent campaigner Peter Carroll said: "At the moment the Government is threatening to deport Gurkha soldiers, even those who have done 20 or 25 years, possibly won medals for valour, just because they retired from the Army before 1997."