IT'S an emotional time for the Jordan family - their soldier son Paul got married then jetted off to Iraq two days later.

The 32-year-old former Weobley High School pupil who is a Staff Sergeant in the Joint Nuclear Biological and Chemical Regiment (NBC) flew to the Gulf on April 7 leaving his new wife Lisa behind. She has written to him every day.

The couple planned to tie the knot in October but the onset of war changed everything. They brought the date forward, but even that was a close run thing.

Paul's mum Lyn Jordan, who lives in Grandison Rise, Hereford, said: "They wanted him to fly on the Friday, but luckily he was allowed to go ahead with it."

After spending their first night as a married couple together, following their wedding at Dudley Register Office, Paul and Lisa were soon separated.

"Paul had to find somewhere to get his head shaved before flying from RAF Brize Norton," explained Lyn, whose husband John spent more than 30 years in the forces. "It's hard for Lisa, she's never had to deal with this sort of thing before."