A Shortlands football coach faces an agonising wait to bring his new wife to the UK - and will miss out on the birth of their first child.

Ian Wooton, who runs Prostars Football School, met his wife, Sunshine, 26, in 2013.

The new Mrs Wooton spent six months in the UK from March to September last year before the couple returned to Philippines to wed in October.

But when Mr Wooton, 46, returned in January, his new bride was unable to join him.

Currently seven months pregnant, he is now pulling out all the stops to ensure she and her 18-month-old son, Russell, can join him.

A complicated bowel disorder is why he cannot move to the Philippines.

He says the rules state he must earn above £22,400, or have £72,000 in savings as he is self employed.

He said: "Because I'm self employed and my income is below the threshold I can't combine my earnings with my savings.

"I work and I own my own house, I don't earn a huge amount, but I don't have anything to pay off."

Mr Wooton, from Shortlands, said: "I'm being treated like I'm some kind of criminal; I'm not interested in benefits."

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The couple on their wedding day 

He insists his wife is fluent in English, and received the highest grade in a Trinity College exam in English.

Mr Wooton said: "I might be 46 but I still cry myself to sleep, I've been having headaches. It's unfair.

"She doesn't know all the issues that are going on, she knows a lot but she's eight weeks away from giving birth, she's worried as it is."

While she hoped he would be there for the birth of his, he said it was not possible.

The father-to-be said: "I'm trying to save every penny and a plane ticket costs about £1,400, I've got no choice, and I'm not saying that lightly.

"I'll have to sell my house in order to bring my wife and son to the UK."

He confirmed he put his house up for sale this morning, adding: "I'm probably going to have to sell my personal possessions off."

If he fails to raise the funds he says he will be forced to find another job which pays more than £22,400.

The Home Office has been contacted for a comment.