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Retired Gurkha Gopal Giri, of Folkestone, said: "I'm over the moon and very excited. It should not have taken this long time but we have done it, at last we have done it."

The group were challenging immigration rules which said that those who retired from the British Army before 1997 did not have an automatic right to stay. The judgement could affect some 2,000 former Gurkhas who retired before 1997.

The judge, Mr Justice Blake, said the Gurkhas' long service, conspicuous acts of bravery and loyalty to the Crown all pointed to a "moral debt of honour" and gratitude felt by British people. He ruled that instructions given by the Home Office to immigration officials were unlawful and needed urgent revision.

Actress Joanna Lumley, whose father served with the Gurkhas, was one of those leading the campaign.

Joanna Lumley, Peter Carroll and other Gurkha rights campaigners

Outside court, she said: "This day is more important than I can tell you because it gives our country the chance to right a great wrong and to wipe out a national shame that has stained us all."

Joanna also paid tribute to Peter Carroll, parliamentary spokesperson for Maidstone and the Weald and national campaigner. Peter took up the campaign for equal rights for Gurkhas five years ago and has campaigned tirelessly on their behalf ever since.

Joanna has asked people to sign a petition to ensure that the Government now changes the law and allows all retired Gurkhas the right to live in the UK. She has asked people to visit www.gurkhajustice.org.uk. This is the biggest ever campaign launched and Joanna has said she wants to take a least a million signatures to Downing Street.