The UK Government wants the courts to throw out a multi-million pound compensation claim brought by Kenyan herders over damage from British army bombs, the BBC has learned.

Many Kenyans have been injured, and some killed, as a result of unexploded bombs left behind in military training areas used by the British army.

The ranges are in areas of central Kenya where many Masai and Samburu tribespeople live and graze their sheep and cattle.

Earlier this year a compensation claim, estimated to total �4m, was lodged on behalf of about 200 tribespeople at the High Court in London.

No legal aid

BBC News has learned that the Ministry of Defence wants the case to be heard in Nairobi rather than London, on the grounds of suitability.

Lawyers say the move will effectively end the claim, because legal aid is not available in Kenya.

The UK army has previously insisted the training areas are the responsibility of the Kenyan authorities.

The Ministry of Defence says precautions are taken to safeguard life, and it denies liability.

Last year the UK army held Exercise Pineapple, where it worked with the Kenyan army to clear unexploded ordnance in the Samburu region.