A Cross Hills man who was expecting to be reunited with his African wife was told by immigration officials that she would not be able to enter the country without a visa.

After a 13-hour flight and almost 12 hours of questioning by immigration officials, Popie Conyers was told that she would have to return to Botswana to get a visa.

Jonathan Conyers, 36, met his wife in Botswana whilst he was working as a science teacher as part of a British Government-funded project.

The pair were married in Botswana last August and had hoped that they would be able to start their married life together in Cross Hills.

Mr Conyers received news on Friday that he had been appointed as a science teacher at Beckfoot Grammar School in Bingley from September. So it was decided that Popie should come over to the UK as soon as possible.

Popie took the 13-hour flight from Botswana to Heathrow on Tuesday, only to be told after questioning that she would have to return.

Before she left her home country she contacted the British Embassy to find out what she would need to do to gain entry into the UK.

She was informed that all she would need was a letter explaining in detail her marriage to Jonathan, where she planned to live, bank statements and other proof of her new planned life in the UK.

She was told that it would be possible to get a visa when she entered the country.

Her husband faxed through all the relevant documentation to guarantee that the couple could be reunited after nearly eight months apart.

However, when Popie arrived at Heathrow Airport in London, she was told by officials that her paperwork was not sufficient and she would need to go back to Botswana to gain a visa.

"She was treated like an illegal immigrant," said father-in-law, John Conyers.

Mr Conyers said that immigration officials were not open to any suggestions that were put forward by him and his son.

"We asked if she could stay as a tourist whilst we sorted out her documentation, but they said no, she had to go back."

Popie was only able to contact her husband briefly to explain that she would have to travel back to Africa.

Mr Conyers said that he had never seen his son look so devastated. Jonathan feared that Popie would be so put off Britain by her experience that she would not want to come and live here.

The couple were able to contact the High Commissioner in Botswana about the situation.

And officials there have said that as soon as the information comes through from Heathrow then it will be possible to sort out a visa, accompanied by a fee of £200, within 48 hours.

Jonathan is so determined to sort things out that he will travel to Botswana next week to help Popie sort out her documentation so she can enter the country legally.

The mix-up will cost the couple nearly £2,000 - money saved up to help them start their new life together.