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The covers have come off Maidstone’s unique tribute to its Gurkha soldiers.

A bronze statue of a Gurkha soldier was unveiled today outside Maidstone Museum in St Faith’s Street, watched by hundreds of onlookers.

It was unveiled after a parade through the town by 150 Gurkha soldiers from the 69 Gurkha Field Squadron and 70 Gurka Field Support Support Squadron, who are both based at Invicta Barracks. They were accompanied by the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas.

The Kent Messenger-backed campaign to honour the achievements of Maidstone’s Gurkhas, which was launched in April reached its £15,000 target in three months.

Cllr Dan Daley, of the Maidstone Trust, who organised the campaign, said: "This is the culmination of an eight-year personal dream of mine to honour the Gurkhas and the diamond jubilee of the Queen’s Gurkha Engineers proved the ideal time."

Gurkha Major Dudhprasad Gurung added: "Today has been fantastic and I am so proud to be involved. I would like to pay tribute to everyone who has supported the campaign."

For full story and more pictures see Friday's Kent Messenger