Delighted Caroline Nesbitt wept tears of joy when her soldier boyfriend proposed to her from the front line in Iraq.

After a desperate search for Corporal Adams Holmes, posted in Iraq, Caroline accepted her childhood sweetheart's proposal through a live video-link from the Gulf.

Corporal Holmes wrote his letter the night before he pushed into Iraq from Kuwait with the 187 (Tancred) Company.

To make sure everyone in his home town of Hebburn, South Tyneside, knew of his proposal he sent it to his local newspaper, the Shields Gazette.

Caroline was stunned when she was told but immediately said a delighted: "Yes."

In his letter Adam, 29, said: "What I'm about to ask may seem a bit cheeky, but I'm going to ask anyway.

"Caroline - your fiance Adam Holmes loves you and our son, Adam Jnr. I'll be home soon and will you marry me?"

Caroline, 27, who has known Adam since they were at school, admits she was taken aback but over the moon.

She said: "Adam and I have been together for 14 years and we have a seven- year-old son, who is also called Adam.

"We have talked about getting married loads of times and Adam has asked me in the past, but I never thought the time was right until I heard about his letter.

"I've been really worried about him since he went to Kuwait and our son has been watching the war in Iraq on TV and asking if his daddy's all right.

"This is a very anxious time and I'm worried for Adam's safety. But I have agreed to get married and the date I've set is July 2005.

"I want him to know that Adam and I really proud of him and we can't wait for him to come home.

The couple were reunited via video-link today live on breakfast show GMTV, when Caroline told Adam she accepted his Middle-eastern proposal.

Cpl Holmes has been in the Army for 11 years and his tours of duty have included a long spell in Kosovo.