A very good news on this first day of Dasain.

-Tisa

LONDON (AFP) - Former Nepalese Gurkha soldiers won the right to settle in Britain on Tuesday, in what their lawyers hailed as an "historic victory" for the veteran fighters.

"Today we have seen a tremendous and historic victory for the gallant Gurkha veterans of Nepal," said one lawyer, after the High Court ruled in their favour.

"This is a victory that restores honour and dignity to deserving soldiers who faithfully served in Her Majesty's armed forces."

Until now only Gurkhas who retired after 1997, when their base was moved from Hong Kong to England, had the automatic right to settle in Britain.

All other foreign soldiers in the British army have a right to settle in Britain after four years of service anywhere in the world.

Around 200,000 Gurkhas fought for Britain in World Wars I and II, and about 3,500 currently serve in the British army, including in Afghanistan and Iraq. More than 45,000 have died serving Britain.

The Gurkhas, who are renowned for their bravery and ferocious fighting skills, have also struggled for many years for pension rights in line with those of their British army counterparts.

Judge Nicholas Blake underlined the "moral debt of honour" and gratitude which Britain has to the Gurkhas for their long military service, wounds sustained in battle, conspicuous acts of bravery and loyalty to the Crown.

Solicitor Martin Howe, representing the Gurkhas, said the case had seen "a torrential outpouring of affection and concern" from ordinary British people.

"The bonds of affection and ties of loyalty between the people of this country and the men from the Brigade of Gurkhas, who have unswervingly served this country for 200 years, has never been stronger," he said.