A FAMILY from Stourport made the trip to Portsmouth harbour on Saturday for an emotional reunion with 21-year-old sailor Steven Barnes as he arrived home from the war in Iraq.

Proud mum Sara Foster made the trip to see Steven, her eldest child, step off HMS Ark Royal, on which he had spent the previous 126 days. Steven Barnes back with mum Sara Foster at Stourport.

She was joined by two of his brothers and one of his sisters for the homecoming, which saw thousands of friends and relatives of servicemen and women line the harbour.

Mrs Foster said she felt an overwhelming sense of relief when she finally caught a glimpse of Steven on board the ship.

She said: "I was frantically looking for him and then suddenly he was there, standing to attention on the side.

"As soon as he got close we all gave him a big hug."

Steven, who is on a fortnight's leave, simply said he was "glad to be back".

Speaking from the family home in Gilgal, he said: "I have really missed my family, my friends and my girlfriend. I am going to spend as much time as I can with them."

It has been a turbulent time for the family - less than a week after Steven set sail for the Gulf his room was raided by thieves.

Then, soon after the start of action, two Sea King helicopters based on the Royal Navy flagship collided, killing seven.

The latter proved to be the most distressing part of the war for Mrs Foster.

She said: "I was very, very worried. The wait was awful. There was a delay before he called to tell me he was alright and then I felt guilty because I knew someone's family would be getting bad news. I didn't cope well. It is not something I ever want to go through again."

Steven said the experience had only stoked his enthusiasm for the navy life.

He said: "The crew on the ship grew closer than ever. The war was scary but it's my job and I am happy to have served my country."