A SOLDIER'S honeymoon went up in smoke after he was called in to drive a Green Goddess the day after his wedding.

Gunner Stuart Callander, 27, who serves with the 129th Battery, 40th Regiment Royal Artillery, had planned to spend a romantic weekend in Perth, Scotland, following his wedding in Edinburgh on Friday.

He had even booked the hotel where he and his new wife Fiona, 24, would spend their first night of wedded bliss.

But the Edinburgh couple's romantic plans were scuppered when he was told to report for duty in the North-East, the day after tying the knot.

Mr Callander found himself back at the Territorial Army Centre in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, where his regiment is providing fire cover for the area, the next day.

He said: "We organised the wedding about six months ago and we had been hearing things about a strike, but we weren't sure if it was going ahead.

"I was trained to drive a Green Goddess just before the strike started as they trained the whole battery as drivers or firefighters. I was really hoping the strike wouldn't go ahead."

Mr Callander said his wife was disappointed about missing her honeymoon. He said: "My wife wasn't happy but she understands. It's just the way it is. We'll just have to wait until next year."

Andy Skiffington, Battery Sergeant Major of the regiment, which is based at Topcliffe, North Yorkshire, said Mr Callander had shown admirable dedication to duty.

He added: "I did feel quite guilty about bringing him back but the guys know how important the work is to the public.

"Obviously, once the issue is resolved, he will get whatever time off we can give him."