AN American minister is celebrating after finally being reunited with her husband in time for Christmas and the new year.

Reverend Anne Fyffe had appealed for help after lengthy delays with her husband's visa application.

Anne, 30, took up a position at Old Gourock & Ashton Church in September but ended up separated from her husband David Milam for almost three months.

The couple, who hail from Ohio, only got married in March and were were initially told that it would take 12 weeks to process David's visa.

But the time then doubled to 24 weeks.

David said: "It was incredibly tough, I used to stay up to two or three in the morning just so I could speak to Anne before she went to work in the morning.

"I don't think I had the words to describe how I felt.

"We were planning the next chapter of our lives which we would start together.

"Anne started it in September but I wasn't here.

"She was giving her first service and preaching, all these incredible things, and I wasn't here to see and share it with her."

The couple were not sure the visa would be cleared in time for Christmas and were hugely relieved when it came through.

David was speaking on the phone to Anne as he received a knock on the door back home.

He said: "A package was delivered and it had 'UK Visa' on the label.

"I couldn't even open it at first, my hands were shaking so much."

Anne said: "We are absolutely thrilled.

"I am so glad he made it over in time for Christmas."

The minister's parents Robert and Dorothy are originally from Alexandria and the pair are living in their home until they find a flat in Gourock.

David said: "It's my first time here in Scotland and everyone has been so kind.

"Whenever I go into a shop or a restaurant people have been chatting away to me.

"I am overwhelmed by how friendly people have been.

"I am looking forward to hiking in the Highlands, travelling and spending time with Anne's family."

Anne said: "It is the best Christmas present ever to have him here."