Hurricane blow for pair just married

The Sheffield couple, who married on Saturday, were due to fly out to Jamaica today - but are scared of what might await them there after Hurricane Dean battered the island on Sunday night.

Although the hurricane did not hit Jamaica directly, many families were forced to flee their homes after roofs were blown off, trees uprooted, and power lines failed.

The couple have asked tour operator Thomson if they can switch destinations for the 3,500 holiday, but have been told they would lose all the money - paid for by Craig's parents as a wedding present.

Craig, aged 32, said: "It's supposed to be our honeymoon but we just don't want to go.

"I just can't believe they want to send us out there - we have been following it on the news and the Foreign Office website and the place has been devastated.

"We are supposed to be staying in a luxury hotel but I just don't think the facilities are going to be up to scratch after being hit by a hurricane. All they can do is reassure us that our hotel has got water and electricity - but that's not really any comfort."

He added: "We just don't know what to do - we don't want to go, but if we don't, we have lost all the money and we don't get a honeymoon."

Craig and Clare, aged 27, of Smelter Wood Avenue, Richmond, were married in a ceremony at St James' Church in Norton followed by a reception at the Park Hotel on Chesterfield Road.

Craig said: "We had an excellent day and we just tried to forget about all these problems, but this is not the best start to married life."

A spokeswoman for Thomson said yesterday: "Hurricane Dean hit Jamaica as a category three storm and the island did experience damage. However, hotels are now up and running, the airport is open with roads operating and electricity back to normal.

"Passengers flying soon can contact our advice line before departure to find out the up-to- date situation.

"However at the current time, normal booking conditions apply for Thursday's flights to Jamaica."