THE Ministry of Defence has said it is too early to say whether Gurkhas based in York will be affected by Army redundancies announced yesterday.

One thousand soldiers and 1,600 Royal Navy personnel are to lose their jobs in the first tranche of redundancies for the two services under the Strategic Defence and Security Review cuts.

The 3,500-strong Brigade of Gurkhas is set to lose around 150 troops, including infantry, engineers, signallers, and logisticians.

Imphal Barracks, in Fulford Road, has been home to the 246 Gurkha Signal Squadron since 2002, when the unit was formed as part of 2 Signal Regiment, with more than 100 understood to be based there at present.

The head of Army manning, Brigadier Richard Nugee, said yesterday cuts were necessary as Gurkhas can now serve for 22 years rather than the 15 to which they were previously restricted.