A GURKHA who served for 16 years in the British Army is being kept apart from his two teenage children because of Government immigration rules.

Nanda Malla, 36, of Brenchley Road, Maidstone, has not seen his family in Nepal since he left the army three years ago because the Home Office has yet to grant him and his wife Pratima, 35, a residential visa.

It means Mr Malla, who is a cleaner at the Lockmeadow leisure complex in Maidstone, will not be permitted to return here to live and work without a visa if he leaves the country.

A trip to Kathmandu to see his 13-year-old son Sandesh and 17-year-old daughter Sajina would lead to the loss of his home, his job and his income.

A residential visa is also required before the couple can apply to bring their children to England. Mr Malla, who served with the British army in Bosnia, said: "I am here to support my family and to give my children a better education.

"It would be very difficult for us to leave here. If we go back to Nepal it would be financially difficult because my children are in private schools and I could not afford to keep them in education."

Working as a cleaner in this country, Mr Malla can earn enough money to support his family in Nepal, where the cost of living is much lower.

He applied for a visa after retiring from the Gurkhas but has yet to hear from the Home Office. Despite his fears, he has put his house up for sale and plans to move back to Nepal.

He said: "I want to be here. That is why I applied for a visa, but now I just want an answer from the Home Office so I can see my family."

The treatment of Mr Malla has been described as "outrageous" by Maidstone and the Weald MP Ann Widdecombe (Con), who has campaigned for Gurkha rights in Parliament. She said: "Gurkhas put their lives on the line defending our country and our democracy.

"At the end of their service they are just given a P45 and sent back to Nepal. It is outrageous. Once they have left the army they should be allowed to stay here. They should be given some sort of priority over other people who are seeking asylum."