Gurkhas from Kent are preparing to fly out to Nepal to help with the search and rescue operation following the devastating earthquake at the weekend.

Although no official announcement has yet been made, it is understood Gurkha regiments in Maidstone and Folkestone have been warned to prepare for such a trip.

The Queen's Gurkha Engineers are based at Invicta Park Barracks in Royal Engineers Road, Maidstone, while the Royal Gurkha Rifles are based at Sir John Moore Barracks in Shorncliffe, Folkestone.

A spokesman for the Army said today: "There are plans afoot and we are waiting on an announcement being made."

Five Gurkhas from the Maidstone barracks were on Everest at the time of the earthquake, after taking part in an expedition to mark the 200th anniversary of Gurkhas' service to the Crown this year, although none were injured.

The earthquake triggered an avalanche on the mountain.