A MAN who has spent a year fighting to get his Nigerian bride into Britain today welcomed her into the country and said: "This is the best day of my life."

Robin Howarth, 54, of Elmfield Street, Church, hugged his wife Justina, 38, when she touched down at Gatwick Airport following her flight from Lagos, the capital of Nigeria.

Holding her tightly in the packed arrivals lounge, an overwhelmed Robin, who runs an off-licence in Elmfield Street, declared: "It has been worth the wait."

The couple married on Valentine's Day last year in Justina's home township of Aba.

Robin had hoped to bring her back to Britain but immigration officials at the British High Commission in Lagos refused her application, questioning the reasons for the marriage.

After a year of fighting for the decision to be overturned -- and spending £15,000 in phone calls, trips abroad and supporting his wife while she lived on a different continent -- Robin finally got permission to bring Justina into the country in May when an appeals panel ruled she should be allowed to come into the country.

Speaking moments after seeing his wife for the first time this year, Robin said: "This is the happiest day of my life. It has been worth all the hassle and struggle. I am just so happy.

"We love each other dearly and we want to get on with our lives now."

Robin will introduce his wife to the local community when they return to Church today.

He added: "I want her to get used to our house first then gradually I hope she will get involved in the shop. We have wanted to be together for so long."

Justina said: "I am very happy to be here. It has been very hard over the last year for us and it has been upsetting also. But we are together now. It is what is meant to be. I am the happiest woman alive and I can't wait to get to my new home."

Robin first met Justina in 1984 when he was working in the African country for Unilever. They struck up a friendship and remained in contact when Robin returned to Church, where he was living with his wife Phyliss.

When she left him to devote her life to Buddhism in the mid 1990s, Robin remained in contact with Justina and gradually their relationship became more serious. He proposed to her some 20 months before they married in the tiny township of Aba.

The couple had hoped to start their life together at Robin's shop -- which he renamed R&J as a token of his new love -- after they married.

But in April last year, immigration officials at the British High Commission in Lagos branded the marriage a sham, claiming it would not last because it was not carried out for the correct reasons.

The officials came to their decision after Robin and Justina provided different answers to a set of questions, including one where Justina described Robin's car as a wagon. He drives a Volvo Estate.

An appeal to the Foreign Office was rejected, prompting Robin and Justina to lodge a complaint with an independent immigration appeals panel.

Petitions were started and Hyndburn MP Greg Pope intervened to try and get the decision overturned. Even Robin's first wife pledged her support -- and was today tidying up Robin's home ahead of Justina's arrival.

The panel decided in April to allow Justina into the country and the Foreign Office did not object.

The 18-month wait has cost Robin more than £15,000 in phone calls, trips to the Third World country and dealing with the authorities.

Robin said: "We have found the whole thing disgusting. It was a slur on Justina who is a catholic girl who values marriage. We should never had to wait this long. We have done everything we can to prove we love each other. It has been worth the wait.

"I want to thank everyone who has helped us, including Greg Pope and the Lancashire Evening Telegraph. Your support has led people to come into my shop and offer support. They have been wonderful. Thank you."