THE fiancée of a naval officer dispatched to the North Pacific four months ago is awaiting his return – weeks before their wedding date.

Bronners Cotts, 24, from Llangollen, will marry Chester-born fiancé Mark Towns, 31, on July 5. However he must first return from service, five days before becoming a husband.

Mr Towns, seaman specialist for the Royal Navy, set sail to the Asia-Pacific from Davenport, Plymouth to monitor diplomatic tensions there on his first major deployment with the Royal Navy’s HMS Albion, a renowned amphibious warfare ship that can carry up to 256 soldiers, as well as tanks, four landing boats and two helicopters, on February 6.

Upon the HMS Albion’s departure, the Ministry of Defence’s official Twitter page tweeted a photo of the ship and said: “[The] Royal Navy warship HMS Albion in action. As UK and Japan strengthen defence ties, this is the commitment from the Royal Navy for the regional defence in the West Pacific.”

Mr Towns has other ties to strengthen, however, and must return to Corwen to do it.

Ms Cotts, living in Corwen with her son, Joel, who is celebrating his first birthday today, said: “It has been difficult. When Mark left he said he loved us and he will miss us.

“He is enjoying his time there, he joined because he wanted to travel, but he’s missing his son, family and friends.”

When asked about her wedding plans, Ms Cotts said: “I have been planning for the wedding by myself – Mark is a typical man hasn't had much to do with it, though he has picked the venue and sends money.

“Unfortunately, some of his navy friends can't make the wedding as they will still be deployed.”

Mr Towns’ designated ship, the HMS Albion, which has a running cost of £38.6 million, departed from Davenport dock in Plymouth, the largest naval base in Western Europe.

Mr Towns had stopped in Japan where he had the chance to explore the country, which has been demilitarised since the end of WWII, though this has been challenged by North Korea’s displays of force in recent times.

Ms Cotts said: “He got to do tourist stuff.”

“During his time on service, Mark has been able to keep in touch with Joel through a recorded reading of the Gruffalo, which the navy often allow parents to do.”

Upon his return, Mr Towns will marry Ms Cotts, but will leave again ten days later on another deployment until October.

Ms Cotts said: “I can’t wait for Mark to come home, his family can’t wait to be reunited with him and we’re so proud of him.”