BRIDE-TO-BE Leanne Jowett has had to postpone her wedding day - so her fiance can help keep the peace in Kosovo.

Tank crew member Michael Dugdale, 22, a trooper with the Kings Hussars is hoping that the peace process goes smoothly so that he can be back in Brierfield by September 17, the new date fixed for the wedding.

The couple were due to have wed at St Luke's, Brierfield, on August 14.

They are now keeping their fingers crossed that Michael can return in time for the new date.

Leanne, 22, lives in Barrowford and works at Colne Post office.

She said: "The wedding was planned about 12 months ago and Michael found out on St Valentine's Day that he was going out to the Balkans. When I heard he could not be home in time for the wedding I was devastated. It was awful."

But the new date was agreed for the wedding on Friday, September 17 with an afternoon reception and evening party at Fence Gate.

Leanne added: "We are still not 100 per cent sure that he will be back, we are just keeping our fingers crossed.''

The couple met outside the Ritzy night club in Burnley when both were 16 and they have been going out together ever since. They were engaged two years ago. Michael's mum, Wynne Dugdale, of Brierfield, said: "He has been in the Balkans since February. We had a phone call from him last Friday night just to say they were moving. He could only speak to us for a minute. That was the last we have heard from him."

Mrs Dugdale said it had been "horrible" knowing her son was involved in the war.

"I have never watched so much news. I have been watching for him all the time, to see if I can catch a glimpse of him," she said.

"It is worrying. I am just hoping he gets home in September. He's a big lad and a strong lad. He is strong willed and it is his job. I am very proud of him."

She said Michael phoned a fortnight ago to ask if they would help Leanne's family rearrange the wedding.

Michael's brother Stephen is also a tank crew member in the Kings Hussars serving in Bosnia.

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