A DEVASTATED Halesowen couple have been forced to postpone their dream wedding after the country went into lockdown due to the coronavirus crisis.

Karen Salmon and Paul Clarke were due to tie the knot on April 24, after a decade together.

The couple, who live in George Road and have a son, Lochlan, aged seven, had spent a year planning their big day and were hoping it would be a "fresh start" after some "really bad years."

They were due to marry at Benjamins in Halesowen before 31 guests with an evening reception for 170 friends and family.

Karen, 47, said she was "devastated" when Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that the UK was under lockdown to tackle the Covid-19 outbreak.

The couple have made the heartbreaking decision to postpone the wedding until September 12 - but are now doubtful that it will go ahead then.

Karen said "We have had a rough couple of years and this felt like our once-in-a-lifetime chance to celebrate after everything we've been through and to look forward to a fresh start.

"It was a chance for our family and friends to celebrate our happiness after some really bad years. But what's the point if the people who matter cant be there? I would rather people be safe.

"It feels like everything's come smashing down for us again.

"We're in limbo as we just don't know what's going to happen."

Karen says she feels lucky to be alive after suffering catastrophic bleeding when giving birth to Lochlan, which left her in intensive care and has meant she can't have any more children.

She was then heartbroken when she couldn't get a school place for Lochlan and was forced to home school him for five months.

Lochlan now attends Newfield Park Primary and the family moved to George Road from Nimmings Road to be closer to the school.

Karen, who used to work as a ward clerk at A&E at Birmingham Children's Hospital, is now a stay-at-home mum.

Paul, aged 46, works as a timber yard manager for a Small Heath firm and was still working this week as the firm supplies the NHS.

Karen said she has lost four-and-a-half stone and has had her wedding dress altered to fit her new trim figure.

She said suppliers, most of which are now closed, have been very helpful, as has Benjamins.

She said: "We just don't know what will happen - it's the uncertainty.

"We're not sure if we should just postpone it to next year - but we will wait and see as September gets closer."