Celebrations as the battle for Gurkhas' rights is won.

GURKHA champion Joanna Lumley proclaimed ''the Gurkhas are coming home'' after the Government finally relented on settlement rights.

The actress hailed the ''brave'' decision by Prime Minister Gordon Brown after he 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.

Surrounded by the heroic Nepalese warriors, Ms Lumley, whose later father was an officer in the Gurkha regiment, led the cheer of ''Ayo Gurkhali'' - ''the Gurkhas are coming''.

Choking back tears she said: ''A great injustice has been righted. The Gurkhas are coming home.'' ''I would like to pay tribute to Gordon Brown the Prime Minister, a brave man who has made today a brave decision on behalf of the bravest of the brave. This is a fantastic day for my brothers and sisters." ''It is so thrilling to have overcome something which has gone on for so long.

She was informed of the decision at a breakfast meeting with the PM this morning.

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 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..

CAPTION(S):

VICTORY: Gurkha campaigners, including Joanna Lumley, seen wiping away a tear, top left, and meeting Gordon Brown, left, cheer after hearing the decision to allow the veterans to come to Britain