A Hindu temple is to be built in York for Gurkha soldiers serving in the city.

It is to be created at Imphal Barracks, along with new accommodation for the Nepalese troops.

A former indoor rifle range at the barracks, in Fulford Road, will be transformed into a place of worship complete with shrine.

The temple, which will hold 150 people, will also feature kitchen facilities and a shoe room as Hindus remove their shoes for worship. The outside of the single-storey brick building, Building 81, will not change but a small, fenced-off ceremonial square with three flagpoles will be created outside.

An Army spokeswoman said: "It is most appropriate that we cater for the spiritual welfare of the Gurkhas - by providing a temple at the barracks - in the same way that we look after the religious needs of all our soldiers."

The barracks, home to 2 Signal Regiment and HQ of 15 (North East) Brigade, has about 100 Gurkhas based there, but this is set to rise to 175 by the end of the year. A three-storey accommodation block is also planned to provide 74 individual en-suite study bedrooms for Gurkhas. It is also planned to build a two-storey accommodation block for eight officers to meet increasing demand at Ousefield House, the officers' mess in Fulford Road.

Roger Armistead, City of York Council planning officer dealing with the cases, said the council could not refuse planning permission as they were Ministry of Defence developments, but was being consulted by the MoD.

The Gurkhas' spiritual needs are already catered for by their Hindu priest - known as the pundit - who is based at Catterick, where more of the Nepalese troops are stationed.

Updated: 11:00 Thursday, April 11, 2002