INTERNATIONAL red tape is keeping octogenarian newly-weds Jim and Emma Russell (pictured) from starting a new life together in America.

Emma was 86 when she was married for the first time at Accrington Register Officer in January to former American golf pro Jim, 84.

After a brief spell together Jim had to return home to Washington State while Emma waited at Lacey Court, Haslingden, for her visa and immigration papers.

She now expects it will be late summer at the earliest before she can go out to the States and set up home with her husband.

Her case has been taken up by Hyndburn MP Greg Pope who has written to the American Ambassador to try to get the process speeded up on compassionate grounds. The couple are now enjoying time together as Jim has flown back to Rossendale for a two month visit. Then they will have to part again. Emma said: "We treasure the time we have together and it will be sad to have to separate again.

"We knew there would be a delay before I could go out to America to live and sadly there does not seem to be any short cut to the process."

Born in Colne, Emma was manageress at Woolworth's, Haslingden, until it closed and was then deputy manageress at the Blackburn store.

The couple met when Emma was on holiday in Arizona in 1985. After Jim's wife died they continued to write to each other. Friendship turned to romance and just before Christmas last year they decided to marry.

Emma said: "I don't want our story to turn into a soap opera. It will be nice when we can be together permanently."