A mother whose ill health prevented her flying to America to see her daughter get married watched the wedding build-up from her living room via a webcam link.

Gillian Kitchener dressed up and gathered round the television with close friends and family to witness Sam's big day.

Mrs Kitchener, of Seven Sisters Road, Lower Willingdon, Eastbourne, was devastated at not being able to jet across the Atlantic.

A lengthy flight while awaiting an operation meant Mrs Kitchener, who is registered disabled, could have suffered life-threatening complications.

So it was left to her husband Richie, 53, and other family and friends to fly out to West Jordan, Utah, where Sam, 25, and Bill Scrowther, 30, have now set up home.

To ensure Mrs Kitchener did not miss out, a webcam link was set up by computer expert friends to beam pictures on to her wide-screen TV.

She dressed up as if she was at the ceremony, bought several bottles of champagne and nibbles and decked out the living room with balloons and streamers.

Mrs Kitchener was able to see Sam, formerly of Old Shoreham Road, Hove, get ready in her satin ivory dress in her hotel suite with her bridesmaids.

She was also able to chat to her daughter thanks to the two way link-up. However, technological disaster struck at the crucial moment.

The link, which had been tested in a dummy run two days before, crashed before Sam walked down the aisle and Mrs Kitchener missed the exchanging of vows.

She now has some emailed pictures and is waiting for video and DVD footage of the ceremony to see the parts of the wedding that she missed.

Mrs Kitchener said: "It's a bit different to actually being at the wedding, I know.

"Sam was totally gutted that I wasn't able to be there and it was difficult for me, being her mum. They were even talking about putting me on a boat to get me there.

"However, flying such a long distance with my long-standing illness was never going to happen. I have suffered from deep vein thrombosis and have had cancer so it was impossible.

"But watching the preparations via the link was great. We were able to have a chat with Sam, see the bridesmaids prepare and it was absolutely lovely.

"It was just a shame that it crashed before the actual wedding."

Sam met US-born Bill while working for American Express in Brighton. They got engaged last August.