A Gurkha war veteran who won his battle for a UK visa arrived in Heathrow this week to a hero's welcome.

On Wednesday evening the frail ex-soldier finally stepped off a plane from New Delhi at Terminal Three along with his wife and son to start a new life in Hounslow and start treatment for his heart problems, asthma, deafness and blindness.

His story has touched the hearts of thousands who signed a petition to support him.

A crowd of four thousand saw him off in Kathmandu, draping him in flower garlands and scarfs, and around 400 well-wishers gathered at Heathrow including Colonel David Hayes, head of the Gurkha Rifles, who saluted him.