GREENWICH Council has officially backed a campaign to secure better pensions for Gurkhas.

Leader Councillor Chris Roberts has signed an online petition on the borough’s behalf.

The council says it was encouraged to sign because of the large number of Nepalese people in the borough – around 4,000.

Back in 2007, Gurkhas were allowed to place their pensions into one of the armed forces’ schemes.

But this only applied to those who left the service before their base transferred from Hong Kong – something the campaign wants to redress as it says around 25,000 men have been affected.

Cllr Roberts said: “We should recognise the unique and special service that generations of Gurkhas have given to our country.”

To sign the petition visit direct.gov.uk