A Gomersal naval officer is responsible for missiles and guns on the HMS Ark Royal, which is heading for the Gulf.

Leading seaman Richard Preston-Jago, 40, is a "missile man" based on the ship, which has a number of Yorkshire troops on board.

But his mother Margaret, of Woodlands View, Gomersal, can hardly bear to watch news of the possible impending conflict, knowing that her son is involved.

Mrs Preston-Jago, who has five grandchildren, said: "I was a bit upset when he talked of it but it is something I have to get to accept because it is part of his life.

"I am hoping this situation in the Gulf will all blow over.

"He wrote to me at the beginning of February from the coast of Cyprus where they were doing exercises.

"They will be in the Gulf region in a few days. He said they are doing lots of look-outs and duties and are all very tired."

Her son, who is divorced with three daughters aged 13, 12 and ten, has been in the Royal Navy for almost 23 years.

The former pupil of Whitcliffe Mount High School, Cleckheaton, wanted to be accepted into the Navy as young as 16 but had to wait and worked in Hillard's supermarket, now Tesco's, in Cleckheaton, before he could finally join up.

As a 19-year-old, he served in the Falklands War on HMS Hermes and then 12 years ago fought in the first Gulf War.

He joined the crew of the Ark Royal a little over a year ago, just before the Queen Mother rededicated the ship.