GURKHAS who have been based in Essex for nearly six years have returned to Folkestone. Soldiers from the Second Battalion Parachute Regiment bid a fond farewell in front of the Prince of Wales at Colchester on Saturday during a final march past.

The Gurkhas joined the battalion in 1996 as a reinforcement company when manpower levels were low. Now the battalion is back to full strength after a recruiting campaign and rejoined the parent unit in Shepway.

The group has served on numerous exercises during their stint including operations in Macedonia and Afghanistan.