A GOUROCK family today told of their relief after the Home Office was forced into a u-turn over a decision to reject a bride's visa and stop a fairytale wedding from going ahead.

Mum Lorna Macmillan was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the public after she made a desperate appeal in the Tele to the UK Government following the snub.

Officials had thrown the wedding plans of her son Craig and his USA-born fiancee into jeopardy after questioning their motives for getting married in Scotland.

It later emerged the application from the couple, who live and work in Vienna, had been referred on to Home Secretary Priti Patel for investigation.

MP Ronnie Cowan, who intervened on the family's behalf, has slammed the UK Government for its handling of the case as Lorna, of Victoria Road told of her relief at the final outcome.

Lorna said: "It is amazing news.

"We can now truly look forward to the day.

"We so appreciate the support of the Tele and the response from others, it really helped us keep focused on the outcome, which thankfully has come through."

The family have also thanked Mr Cowan's office team for their huge support.

Craig, 28, and his fiancee Sarah Castellano faced a race against time after her visa to enter the UK and get married in Tarbert on August 27 was refused.

The couple feared they would have to cancel the wedding in Stonefield Castle, with family from all over the world due to arrive.

But now they are all set to travel on August 19 in time for their big day.

Sarah said: "We want to thank the Greenock Telegraph and everyone who helped us.

"I guess I will be wearing my wedding dress after all."

Local MP Mr Cowan and his team pulled out all the stops to get the Home Office to reverse their inexplicable decision and he says while he is delighted for the family the Home Office have questions to answer.

He said: "It is great that the visa has finally been granted, but it comes only a couple of weeks before the wedding.

"The family should never have been put in this situation in the first place.

"They have had to endure weeks of anguish and worry for what should be a joyous occasion.

"My staff have worked incredibly hard to try to get the Home Office to see reason, and I personally raised the issue with officials in London.

"The Home Office said that Sarah had 'undermined the credibility of her application', but in fact the stance of the Home Office up to this point has undermined its own credibility.

"It is a huge worry to me that people who follow the rules and complete open and honest applications are put in this position by a culture from the Home Office that seems to be following the discredited Tory policy of creating a hostile environment for people coming to the UK.

"Thankfully we have solved this issue and I hope lessons will have been learned at the Home Office."