The newlywed bride of Royal Navy Reservist David Foster has been parted from her husband after he answered a call-up in preparation for war with Iraq.

Christine Foster, nee Brooks, of Progress Close, Ledbury, said she and her husband are now looking forward to a belated honeymoon in Scotland, where Mr Foster's father lives, when the crisis is over.

The couple married on Saturday and Mr Foster reported to Portsmouth on Monday, in preparation for transport to Kuwait.

Mrs Foster said: "It's not how I imagined married life, not at all. I'm a bit up and down, a bit weepy."

However, Mrs Foster said her wedding in Ledbury's Market House, in brilliant sunshine, could not have been better.

"It was absolutely wonderful, just perfect," she said.

The couple were married at 2.30pm by Ledbury's superintendent registrar, June McQuaid.

There was a slight a hitch when a motorway accident delayed some guests, including best man David Wood and the bride's sister and brother, Shirley and Terence.

However, everyone arrived just in time for the ceremony, with several guests in uniform, including Mr Foster's commanding officer Cdr Stephen Collins.

Mr Foster, 48, had been a Royal Navy Reservist for 18 years when he was called up and brought his wedding forward from the autumn. His duties in the present crisis will be as a theatre technician, with the rank of Chief Petty Officer.