Plans for a Hindu temple in Oxford have gained support from the city's Nepalese community.

Two weeks ago the Oxford Mail revealed the county's 500-strong Hindu community planned to construct a £2m temple, with Headington being earmarked as a potential site.

Now members of Oxford's 400-strong Nepalese community, many of whom are current and former British Army Gurkha soldiers, have come forward to support the proposal for a 12,000sq ft temple, about three-quarters the size of Oxford Ice Rink.

Headington Liberal Democrat councillor and former city council deputy leader David Rundle has also held talks with organisers of the temple project to discuss possible sites.

Jagruti Bhuva, 44, from Kennington, who is one of the people leading the project said: "This is fantastic news. We have had a great response to our plans.

"The Nepalese community are very religious and we would like them to be involved with us. The Oxford Mail article led to a story in the Hindu international press and we have had loads of emails to support our idea.

"Mr Rundle said he was very happy to see us and help us to plan how we can go ahead with the project too. We have been pretty overwhelmed with the response so far."

The temple would be open for about four hours a day, seven days a week, for prayer and use as a community centre and would ideally have parking for up to 150 cars.

Tulasi Paudel, 46, a serving Ghurka soldier, said: "There are many Nepalese Hindus in Oxford so the need is quite great for a temple in the city.

"It would make our lives a lot easier if we had a permanent base in Oxford, so we didn't have to ring around and try to find a location every time we want to have a gathering."

Mr Paudel, of Barns Road, Cowley said: "I'm more than happy to contribute some money and I'm sure other Gurkhas would be as well, even if it's not a lot. We would also be willing to get involved in any fundraising efforts for the temple."

An estimated 90 per cent of Oxford's Nepalese community are Hindus.

Mr Rundle said: "I'm very willing to work with the Hindu community to understand their desires and what the council will be able to do for them. Oxford is well known for being an open and cosmopolitan city and we want to build on that further."

The Hindu community is looking for a venue to host a communal prayer session on Sunday, September 14. If successful similar events will be held on the second Sunday of each month. Anyone who can provide a suitable venue, with nearby parking, should email bhuvajv@aol.com.

For more information, see www.oxfordhindutempleproject.org