Remark led to Lumley Gurkha fight

Annie Watsham said she remembered Joanna Lumley's Gurkha links

A "mystery" Kent woman whose chance remark led Joanna Lumley to get involved with the Gurkha Justice campaign has finally met the actress.

Annie Watsham, 51, of Cranbrook, near Tunbridge Wells, put forward her idea while signing a petition in August.

In May all Gurkha veterans with at least four years' service were given permission to settle in the UK.

Ms Lumley's involvement is credited with propelling their cause into the spotlight.

She met with Ms Watsham outside the Vestry Hall in Cranbrook where she had signed the petition.

I was totally shocked when I found out I had some involvement in the campaign Annie Watsham Lumley joins Gurkha celebrations

Ms Lumley said: "It's very thrilling to meet her for the first time. It's just brilliant what she did.

"She plays such a pivotal part of this story. It was the little link that was missing. That's how I met Peter, which has become the most important part of this campaign."

Ms Watsham said she told Peter Carroll from the Gurkha Justice campaign that he should approach Ms Lumley because she remembered the actress's father was an officer in the Gurkha regiment.

She said Ms Lumley had also donated £500 towards a charity trek she undertook through Nepal 10 years ago.

Mr Carroll launched a search for her through a Kent newspaper because he could not remember her name.

He said: "If Annie hadn't made that comment, then maybe she [Ms Lumley] wouldn't have got involved and maybe we wouldn't have won the campaign. We just don't know."

Ms Watsham added: "I was totally shocked when I found out I had some involvement in the campaign.

"It's been amazing to meet her. She was very warm, very natural."