A FAMILY say they are confident that a Hampshire trader stranded in South Africa will be home in time for his wedding next month.

Lionel Illgner moved to the UK in 2006 but was told to return to Joannesburg to arrange a new visa following the collapse of his first marriage.

However, the British consulate in the city has so far refused to issue him with the necessary documents.

Now, with time running out, his friends and neighbours have launched a campaign to persuade officials to let him to return to the UK.

Mr Illgner, who runs a hardware shop in Milford on Sea, is due to marry Alison Probert at Canford Magna, near Wimborne, on August 9 but has been in South Africa since February.

Alison’s father, Beverley Probert, said: “Lionel’s original application was refused because he made a mistake and submitted insufficient details.

“But he was invited to appeal and we’ve now sent bags of information covering all the points. Every angle has been covered.

“Lionel can’t come here without a visa, but as soon as he gets one there won’t be a problem.”