A WOMAN, whose sister was killed by an Internet lover, is returning home to the UK on Sunday without the Algerian husband she met on-line.

Following their "fairytale marriage" in the remote North African village of Ighil Ali three weeks ago, Valerie Joice and Merouane Azzi are to be separated because immigration officials believe his love for her is not genuine.

Valerie, 47, said: "They have told us they believe Merouane paid me to marry him so he could get out of his own country and start a new life in Britain.

"It could not be further from the truth, so I am coming home determined to fight it out with my Government."

She plans to remain in the UK to campaign on his behalf.

After a three-year relationship conducted through e-mails and phone calls, Valerie and Merouane, 28, met for the first time on January 5, when she flew to his native Algeria.

As Valerie, who has battled breast cancer, and Merouane's relationship developed, it caused a family rift.

Her mother, Elsie, and other relatives feared for Valerie's safety after her sister, Sandra, was killed by a man she met through Internet dating in 2002.

Previously, Merouane had two applications to come to the UK rejected on the grounds his intentions were not honourable.

The couple were left with no choice but for Valerie, 47, to travel from her home in Ferryhill, County Durham, to marry him.

She said: "As soon as we clapped eyes on each other at the airport we knew we had done the right thing."

The couple have to stay married for five years before Merouane can qualify for full UK citizenship.

Valerie said: "When Sandra was murdered, it changed everything as it tore our family apart.

"I could not bear the thought of leaving my mother, Elsie, who was in her seventies. It would have broken her heart. So I asked Merouane to think about coming to Britain."