Hounslow's two VC heroes celebrated alongside actress Joanna Lumley after a landmark ruling paved the way for thousands of fellow Gurkhas to join them in Britain.

But the victory was a bittersweet one for Tul Bahadur Pun and Lachhiman Gurung, who are fighting a fresh battle for their families to be allowed to stay.

Mr Pun, of Martindale Road, Hounslow, and Mr Gurung, of nearby Roseville Avenue, are among just 10 living holders of the Victoria Cross in the world.

Both had already won the right to live in Britain, where they have received much-needed medical treatment, but the frail pensioners are now campaigning for their children to be allowed to stay and nurse them.

Mr Pun's daughter Megh and eldest son Arjun were eventually allowed into the country a few weeks ago to see their father, who was in a critical condition at West Middlesex Hospital.

But the pair's six-month visas expire early next year and they will be forced to return to Nepal unless the Home Office has a change of heart.

"The verdict marked the end of an 18-year battle for Gurkhas to be allowed into Britain and I'm eternally grateful to the British public, without whose support this wouldn't have been possible," Mr Pun told the Chronicle this week.

"But I'm devastated that, despite my having fought for this country, my son and daughter have been refused the right to stay."

Regular Chronicle readers will be familiar with Mr Pun's heroic exploits but they are matched by Mr Gurung, who is appealing for his granddaughter Amrita to be allowed to stay.

The 90-year-old lost his right arm when a grenade exploded in his hand while he was fighting in Burma during the Second World War, but he continued to defend his post by loading and firing his rifle one-handed for an incredible four hours.

He joined Mr Pun and dozens of other jubilant Nepalese soldiers, who risked their lives fighting for the British Army, outside London's High Court last Tuesday.

Mr Justice Blake's ruling is likely to open the door to more than 2,000 veterans whose visa applications were rejected on the grounds they had 'no strong ties' to the UK.

About 200 ex-Gurkhas and relatives are already living in Hounslow, including Mr Pun's youngest son who works at Hounslow Barracks.

Ex-Absolutely Fabulous star Joanna Lumley, whose father Mr Pun saved from almost-certain death during the Second World War, hailed the judgement as a 'chance to right great wrongs and wipe out a national stain'.

Kieran O'Rourke, of Howe & Co Solicitors, told how the pair have developed a 'special bond' during the last few weeks.

"When they first met she said 'you're like my father' and he held her face in his hands and replied 'you're now my daughter'," he said.

"She's disgusted by the fact that Mr Pun's son and daughter have been given just six months to leave the country, despite the fact he could fall ill again at any minute."