A MONUMENT celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Queen's Gurka Engineers has been welcomed by a former major of the unit.

Maidstone council will commission a public work of art to celebrate the links between the County Town and the regiment, which is based at Maidstone's Invicta Barracks.

Major Dhan Chand was the senior Gurkha officer commanding the 69 and 70 Gurkha Squadrons at Invicta for two and a half years, until he was transferred to the 75 Engineer Regiment in Warrington, Cheshire, in July.

Major Chand who was involved in the early proposals for an artwork with Maidstone council said he was delighted that Cllr Dan Daley (Lib Dem), the cabinet member for culture and leisure, had authorized the project.

Major Chand said: "The Gurkhas have a very close affinity with Maidstone. A great many live here with their families, including Gurkhas who have settled in the town after retiring from service.

"This public tribute will be really appreciated by the men. It is really a very, very welcome gesture."

Sussex-based artist Mary Cox will create a bronze statue on a stone plinth, at a cost of about £12,000.

The council will launch a public subscription next year to pay for the project.

Cllr Daley said: "The Gurkhas have won the respect and admiration of the great majority of the British people. That is quite apparent whenever we have a civic parade - the crowds always give an extra loud round of applause when the Gurkhas march by.

"I’ve been keen for several years to do something to mark the great esteem in which we all hold the Gurkhas, and their anniversary next year - especially following their planned return from Afghanistan in March - seems a great opportunity to show them our regard.

"The Gurkha Engineer holds a special association with Maidstone, which we are very proud of and hope will continue for a long time to come."

The statue could be a first for the country. There is a monument to the Gurkha Rifleman in London, but currently there is no public recognition of the contribution of the Gurkha Engineer.

It is not yet known where the stature will be place, but one idea is for it to go near the bandstand at Fremlin Walk.

The first Gurkha Field Squadron of the Queen’s Gurkha Engineers was formed at Kluang in Malaya in 1948. The Gurkha Engineers have since seen service in Malaya, Hong Kong, North Borneo, Brunei, the Falklands, Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq.

Their connection with Maidstone began in September 1994, when 69 Gurkha Field Squadron moved into the Invicta Park Barracks to join 36 Engineer Regiment. There were later joined by the 70 Gurkha Field Squadron.