A COUPLE who have been kept apart by coronavirus for over a year are desperate to be reunited.

Adrian Gibbs, who works for the US Army near Frankfurt as a vehicle mechanic, hasn't been home in over a year as a result of the pandemic.

The 54-year-old dad-of-two has missed out on his silver wedding anniversary year, daughter Imogen-Lace's graduation and won't be here for youngest daughter Bronwyn-Tyler's 18th birthday.

His wife, Debra Morris-Gibbs, has been tirelessly trying to get answers on whether he would need to isolate at a hotel in line with Scottish Government guidelines and if he would be able to return to Germany if another lockdown was imminent.

Debra is looking for answers to prevent her husband being caught up in red tape surrounding travelling back to the UK for a visit.

The Morrisons worker told the Tele: "This past year has been one of the most challenging of my life.

"We haven't been able to get any answers on whether Adrian would be able to come straight home after landing in Glasgow, or if he'd be forced to pay to self-isolate.

"Neither of us can afford to take that amount of time off work, we usually can only see one another for a week at the most.

"The worrying thing is if he came home and there was another lockdown he would lose his job, as they wouldn't keep it for him with not knowing when he could return.

"It's been a nightmare."

The family, who are currently renting their home in Port Glasgow, also faced an uncertain future over their property at the end of last year.

Debra, who lived in Cumbria before returning home to Port Glasgow, told the Tele: "At the end of last year, we were told by our landlord that we had three months before we had to be out the house, which was just an added stress on top of everything else.

"Thankfully they changed their mind, but Adrian's stuff is all still packed upstairs - we didn't know what was happening.

"We returned home to help look after my mum, so I'm just glad we've been here for both her and my sister.

"There have just been uncertainties for months now, we just want a bit of stability."

As well as worrying about Adrian, Debra has been driving her 80-year-old mum, Margaret Morris, to hospital appointments after she was diagnosed with cancer last year.

The 52-year-old added: "Even when Adrian is video-calling the girls, I don't always get to catch up with him because of the time difference, my hours in work and then taking care of my mum.

"I've been driving her to hospital appointments and helping both her and my sister who were shielding.

"We all really miss him and just cannot wait for him to get home."

Adrian served 24 years in the army, completing tours where he would be reunited with his family every six months.

Whilst Debra was able to see the army man in Bulgaria for a week last year before the pandemic, their daughters have not seen their father since 2019.

Imogen-Lace, who is currently studying for a Masters degree at Strathclyde University, said: "We do feel cheated having these big moments in our life and not having our dad here to see us.

"We'll be live-streaming Bronwyn opening her birthday presents so he can be involved and we even have his Christmas dinner in the freezer for him to enjoy when he gets home.

Bronwyn, an S6 pupil in St Stephen's High, added: "We just wish we could get some answers and be able to see our dad - we miss him and so do our dogs.

"We're just desperate to get him back home."