A PRESTON mum-of-twins has jetted off half-way around the world to marry her long-term boyfriend.

Tracy Billington, 38, has waved 'sayonara' to her St Jude's Avenue home in Walton-le-Dale with 13-year-old twins Jamie and Laura and younger daughter Emily, seven.

The University of Central Lancashire catering supervisor has been given leave from her job to make the trip and intends to marry boyfriend Zach Wellings, 31, an English teacher in Japan, before returning home in about six months time.

Her older daughter, Michelle, 17, is staying behind with a family friend.

Tracy and her children are now living in rural Kanou, near Kagoshima, in south Japan, where the youngsters will go to school. "The children are a bit nervous, but really looking forward to it," said Tracy prior to her departure on Tuesday.

Despite not knowing a word of Japanese, Tracy believes her children will get along fine. "They're a bit sad at leaving their friends, but they plan to write and email them all. The schools they'll attend are ordinary Japanese schools, not international ones for Westerners. But the teachers are looking forward to having them and Zach works there too.

"Children are adaptable. I'm sure they'll settle in and learn a bit of the language.

It's an opportunity of a lifetime, a fantastic experience for the children." Tracy's family will be staying at her home until she returns.