A desperate search began yesterday for a soldier posted near the Iraqi border - because his girlfriend has accepted his marriage proposal.

Caroline Nesbitt wept tears of joy when her brave boyfriend Adam Holmes, of Hebburn, South Tyneside, proposed to her in a letter from the front line.

Now Caroline, 27, wants to accept - but doesn't know exactly where her childhood sweetheart is.

She said: "The problem at the moment is that I cannot contact Adam while he's serving in the conflict.

"I want to tell him straight away but, as it stands, I will have wait until we exchange letters to let him know the answer's 'yes'."