An Aberporth family celebrated a special Christmas reunion after a visa problem was solved at the 11th hour.

Joe Lewis - who now lives in Japan - was planning to bring his Russian partner Valeriia to Wales to meet the family for the first time.

But Valeriia - who has never been to the UK before - said her visa application was rejected, because officials did not believe that she would return to Japan.

The couple both live and work in Tokyo.

They reapplied but were met with red tape, delays and do-not-reply emails as the clock ticked down to their scheduled departure flight on 22 December.

The visa process is outsourced to a private company and was being dealt with by a firm in the Philippines.

Joe - who has not been back home for two years - was particularly keen for his grandmother Rhiannon Sanders to meet Valeriia.

In desperation the couple turned to newly re-elected local MP Ben Lake and their appeal was one of the first items in his inbox as he returned to the Commons following last month’s General Election.

And, with just hours to go before their flight, the visa finally arrived at the British Embassy in Tokyo.

“We were so relieved - Valeriia has been looking forward to this visit for months and I was so keen to show her Wales and where I grew up,” Joe, 29, told the Cambrian News.

“We are very grateful that the visa application was finally successful and thank Ben and his team for their efforts - it made the whole family’s Christmas.”

Ben Lake said: “For many, the festive period offers an opportunity to spend precious time with loved ones.

“I am glad to have been able to help this family with an issue they encountered with the Home Office, and especially pleased that they were able to enjoy Christmas together.”