A naval officer whose ship fought off pro Gaddafi forces in Libya can finally get married after reuniting with his fiancée.

Lieutenant Rubin Nash planned to wed fiancée Emma Pinder, 28, back in March but was forced to cancel when his ship, The HMS Liverpool, was deployed to Libya.

The lovebirds exchanged emails and phone calls whilst the 34-year-old was helping to liberate the worn torn country, planning to rearrange their big day for mid August.

But when the government extended HMS Liverpool’s patrols off Libya to beyond September, then again until the end of October, it was too much to bear.

Mr Nash, who is originally from Epsom but now lives in Surbiton, said: “We’d just sorted everything out for October 15 and then the captain said we’d been extended another month.

“I thought ‘right I need to make a phone call’. She was in floods of tears.”

The gunnery officer, who served in Sierra Leone and Afghanistan, arrived back in Surbiton on Tuesday night.

He said: “I missed my family and friends when I’m at sea. It was great to see my Emily again as we have had to put things on hold”.

“I think we are both hoping this will be third time lucky.”

The ship came under fire because of its role in coordinating the no fly zone over Libya and stopping the flow of arms to soldiers loyal to the disposed despot.

But the 4,800 tonne destroyer is no soft target and fought back using her powerful 4.5 inch gun to bombard targets ashore.

Mr Nash Added: “My team worked in the gun bay and in the Operations Room, and it was immensely satisfying to lead them, knowing that even from the sea we could exert a powerful effect against pro-Gaddafi forces ashore.

“I’m very proud of the role we played to help defend Libyan civilians.”

HMS Liverpool’s Commanding Officer, Commander Colin Williams, praised his officers “grit and determination” under fire. He said: “We became the first ship to be fired upon in 30 years and my ship’s company responded by putting their training into action, returning fire in self defence and destroying enemy positions ashore.

“I know that our families and well wishers will be as proud of them as I am and we arrive home as a ship at the top of her game.”