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Gurkha supporter Joanna Lumley hailed the "brave" decision by Prime Minister Gordon Brown after the Government relented on settlement rights and opened the door to thousands of retired soldiers.

Campaigners reacted with jubilation after the announcement by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith that all Gurkha veterans with four years' service would be allowed to move to the UK.

Ms Lumley was informed of the decision at a breakfast meeting with the PM. It follows a two-year legal and political battle for equal rights for those who retired before 1997, when their base moved from Hong Kong to Kent.

Last month campaigners reacted with fury at Home Office rules which they said would allow only 100 more Gurkhas, mostly officers and medal-winners, to live here, but would exclude ordinary infantrymen.

The tide turned firmly in their favour last month when the Government lost a key House of Commons vote to Labour backbenchers, the Tories and Liberal Democrats. Despite the result not being binding, ministers were forced to launch a review.