Families' emotions over Iraq

Service wives: Michaela and Claire with their children

Hundreds of service families across the South West are waiting to hear whether their relatives will be going into battle.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Tony Blair outlined the "moral" case for war against Saddam Hussein, saying the alternative was sanctions that could result in the deaths of thousands of Iraqis.

Ministers have insisted the UK military is fully prepared for action against Iraq, and 26,000 British troops have either left for, or are preparing to leave for, the Gulf.

Families in the South West have been talking about what it has been like since their relatives were sent on duty.

Families say they are resigned to the situation

Michaela and Claire, both from Plymouth, saw their husbands leave on HMS Ocean in January for the Gulf as part of the recent round of deployments.

They both have young families and are coping alone with no idea as to when their partners are coming back.

Michaela said: "We have mixed emotions. A lot of mixed emotions. I mean you're scared, you miss them, it's just weird."

It is not a new experience for either of the women, as both their partners have been deployed previously.

But this time there are some noticeable differences.

Michaela said: "If it's a normal deployment, there's a date. So, I can put the date on my calendar.

I can see a big change in her - there's lots of sulking

Claire on how her daughter has noticed her father has gone

See the BBC Devon messageboard

"First of all it's counting, saying: 'He's been away for two weeks'.

"Then you get a bit closer, saying: 'He's coming back in three weeks'. Then I can get myself ready for that.

"But now we haven't really got anything to look forward to, because we don't know when they're coming back."

Both women agree that it is their children who notice their dads' absence the most.

Claire said: "Mine's only just over 13 months and you'd think they'll notice, but they're not going to be affected.

"But I can see a big change in her. There's lots of sulking."