Some Gurkhas in Brecon to lose jobs in defence cuts - BBC News

1 September 2011 Last updated at 12:33 ET

Gurkhas based in Wales are to lose their jobs under defence cuts, it has been confirmed.

Up to 130 of The Gurkha Company (Mandalay) have been based in Brecon, Powys, since 1974.

Ministers have announced that a total of 150 Gurkhas will be made redundant, but the Army will not say how many in Wales will be affected.

Some 930 RAF and 920 Army members were on Thursday being told they were being made redundant, 750 compulsorily.

The job losses are part of 22,000 post closures by 2015.

A spokesman for the Army in Wales said: "Some Gurkhas will be affected, but specific numbers are not being released due to data protection issues.

"However, those affected will have the right of appeal and will have the option to switch regiments."

The Brecon Gurkhas are based at the Infantry Battle School in Brecon and also use the Sennybridge training area nearby, the UK's fourth largest military training area.

The Gurkha Company (Mandalay) were made honorary citizens of Brecon in 1985.