A couple living on the other side of the world risk losing thousands of pounds following a delay to their newborn's passport - meaning they may have to cancel their Norfolk wedding.

Lucia Thompson, 37, grew up in Norwich and shares a three-month-old son with Manchester-born Dr Amit Bhaduri, 38.

The pair moved to Australia in April last year for work but were hoping to have a civil ceremony right here in the county where Lucia was raised.

Their plan was to finally exchange vows in front of 200 people at Voewood arts and crafts house in north Norfolk on June 4.

Norwich Evening News: Lucia Thompson and Dr Amit Bhaduri with their baby sonLucia Thompson and Dr Amit Bhaduri with their baby son (Image: Lucia Thompson)

The couple were legally married with just two witnesses at County Hall on September 9, 2020.

As they chose to marry during the pandemic they put back their large wedding celebration to May 2021 and again to this summer.

But after a year of planning and guests flying in from India and America, it could still be cancelled due to a 13-week delay in the Home Office processing their son's first British passport.

Norwich Evening News: Lucia Thompson and Dr Amit Bhaduri with their baby son in AustraliaLucia Thompson and Dr Amit Bhaduri with their baby son in Australia (Image: Lucia Thompson)

Mrs Thompson, who is an artist and lives near Melbourne, said: "It's a mess. It makes me think are we just throwing money in the bin. We might have to pull the plug on everything.

"It is a large expense and we are in limbo.

"Indian weddings are quite large. It is a big deal when a member of an Indian family gets married."

She added it might be the last time older relatives could meet her son.

Norwich Evening News: Lucia Thompson and Dr Amit Bhaduri, who hope to have a civil marriage ceremony on June 4 at VoewoodLucia Thompson and Dr Amit Bhaduri, who hope to have a civil marriage ceremony on June 4 at Voewood (Image: Lucia Thompson)

The new mum added her lockdown wedding was special but she dreamt of celebrating with her whole family in Norwich.

She added they registered their son's birth in Australia soon after he was born on January 14 but his certificate - which is needed to apply for a passport - took ten weeks to come through.

She continued: "Then the wait for passports went from six weeks to 13 weeks. To say we are panicking would be an understatement."

Norwich Evening News: Norwich shop owner Dorothy Thompson with her daughter's wedding invitationNorwich shop owner Dorothy Thompson with her daughter's wedding invitation (Image: Sophie Wyllie)

Her mother, Dorothy Thompson, 63, who runs Coccolino children's clothes shop in Timberhill, Norwich, said: "I feel very confused. I haven't been able to sleep at all."

The Home Office was approached for comment.