Gurkhas from Maidstone made history when they stood guard outside Buckingham Place in London for the first time in 200 years of service to the Crown.

Some 50 members of the Queen's Gurkha Engineers, based at Invicta Park Barracks in Royal Engineers Road, Maidstone, began their London duties today.

They marched from Wellington Barracks in front of thousands to Buckingham Palace where they took over the guard, supported by the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas.

They will stand watch throughout the week until Saturday, spending two hours on guard each.

The honour is part of commemorations to mark their service to the Crown.

Also on their list of duties is guarding St James' Palace and the Tower of London.

Officer in Charge of 70 Gurkha Field Squadron, which is carrying out the duties with 69 Gurkha Field Squadron, Major Chris Elworthy MBE, said: "It was a really proud moment as we marched out of the barracks with the band infront of us. The boys are really proud to be on parade showing off the pride and strength of the British Gurkhas. This is also when it is a particularly difficult time in Nepal."

The servicemen had rehearsed for several months for the duties and some of their families travelled to London to see them on parade.

At the same time, a contingent of Gurkhas has also flown to Nepal to help with the relief effort and a further 80 are due to join them any day.