A pair of newly-weds are Britain's unluckiest honeymooners after a catalogue of disasters.

John and Paula Beaumont-Willard have returned home to Sussex wondering if they should ever have tied the knot.

Their pledge to stay together for better or worse quickly became worse when a series of mishaps began the moment the service ended.

After nine years together the pair wed in front of dozens of family members and friends at Worthing Register Office.

But their honeymoon started badly when the taxi to the airport failed to arrive, causing them to almost miss their flight from Gatwick to France.

After rushing to catch the plane, they were stunned to learn their captain had phoned in sick leaving them stuck on the runway for an hour.

Arriving in Toulouse for the trip to their ski resort in Andorra, their bus broke down.

Another turned up, then crashed en route.

They finally arrived for their seven-day honeymoon in the Pyrenees resort planning to put their troubles behind them.

Three days later, John, 32, a department manager at Focus DIY in Littlehampton, fractured his right arm skiing and was out of action for the rest of the week.

While they were away, John's car was broken into.

When neighbours popped round to let them know, they discovered the couple's flat had been emptied by crooks.

The thieves ransacked the flat in Heron Court, Victoria Road, stealing electrical goods, toys and jewellery worth thousands of pounds as well as family photographs and unopened wedding gifts.

Paula, 24, a cleaner at Worthing Hospital, said: "I wouldn't wish my luck on anyone - not even my worst enemy.

"The holiday came up and we decided to get married and use it as a honeymoon.

"Everyone said it was about time but I don't think we'd have bothered if we'd known all this was going to happen."

The newly-weds, who have two children, arrived home on Sunday to count the cost of their honeymoon.

While her new husband was at the fracture clinic yesterday, Paula said: "I don't care about the computer or the TV, they are replaceable, but I can't replace pictures of my kids."

Anyone who has any information should call the priority crime team at Worthing on 0845 6070999 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.