Kent Gurkha engineers are flying to Nepal after thousands died in the country's worst earthquake in decades.

The soldiers at the Maidstone-based Queen's Gurkha Engineers will join around 65 others permanently based at the brigade's HQ in Kathmandu.

The dozen troops are expected to help disaster recovery efforts after more than 4,000 died in the huge quake.

It's believed soldiers were due to board a transporter plane filled with solar lanterns and emergency lanterns from Brize Norton last night - with others 'in readiness' to leave.

It's after a Gurkha detachment was airlifted from a camp on Everest after attempting to become the first serving Gurkhas to reach the summit.

The five Gurkhas from the Maidstone barracks were taking part in an expedition to mark the 200th anniversary of Gurkhas' service to the Crown this year, although none was injured.

When the Kent soldiers reach the country they can expect "huge logistical difficulties".

It's believed the earthquake has triggered road closures, hospitals struggling with the capacity and thousands sleeping in the street.

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