TRAINEE Gurkhas have been learning more about British military history - with the help of the Green Howards Regimental Museum.

The Gurkhas, aged between 18 and 22, have been studying English at the language wing of the Gurkha Training Centre in Catterick Garrison since January.

Later this month they will break off their studies to do basic training with the Infantry Training Course, before resuming their English classes.

They will all take the Army's English up to NATO Standard examination in August - which they must pass to join one of the Gurkha units.

They visited the museum in Richmond with their two civilian instructors, Theresa Loftus from Devon and Hannah Price from Derby.

Both of them live at Catterick for the duration of the course, and Theresa has been teaching Gurkhas for 11 years.

They decided that taking their students to the museum would help them to improve their English in a place that has the sort of military basis that they understand.

Museum staff let them handle a variety of weapons from around the world, including Russian and German rifles.

Hannah said: "Coming from Nepal they have to make enormous cultural leaps - in their country there are no trains or buses, cafs or shops like ours, so everything is a new experience."

Theresa said: "They are very intelligent and keen - a pleasure to teach - and the museum gives them a chance to practise their English in an exciting and stimulating environment. It has been a great success, and they've had a wonderful time here."

Museum spokesman Roger Chapman said: "One of our guides, Lieutenant Colonel Denis O'Leary, used to serve with the Gurkhas, and he helped to make these 16 young men welcome.

"It was a very profitable visit for them, and we hope to make a trip to the museum a permanent part of the Gurkhas' training when they are at Catterick."