WHEN friends and family gather to welcome in the New Year, one Worcester mother's thoughts will be thousands of miles away with her daughter.

Becky Mooney spent Christmas in the Gulf, and will still be several time zones apart as the drinkers at her mum's Warndon pub welcome the New Year.

The 21-year-old is on board the Royal Navy warship HMS Cumberland in the United Arab Emirates port of Dubai.

The Type 22 Frigate is part of an international naval presence in the Gulf helping to enforce trade sanctions against the Iraqi regime.

On Christmas Day, Becky had to provide first aid and fire fighting cover, but she and her 280 colleagues were still able to enjoy a traditional festive meal.

Her parents Denise and Kevin, and her brother and two sisters spent Christmas on her grandmother's farm at Crowle, near Worcester.

"I miss my family, especially at this family time, and want to make sure they're in Plymouth when HMS Cumberland returns home in March," said Becky.

Crew member

She is a crew member on her first ship since joining the service three years ago, serving as a Writer, helping with the ship's administration.

Becky says her brother Michael, currently a pupil at Worcester's Nunnery Wood High School, is keen to follow in her footsteps and join the Royal Navy.

One of her sisters, Joanne, is in the Army's Royal Logistics regiment, and her younger sister Katie also hopes to join the regiment.

"I'm very proud of all of them," said Mrs Mooney, landlady at the Prince of Wales pub in Windermere Drive.

"Becky will be on duty on New Year's Eve, but as they're four hours ahead she can celebrate and then call me.

"This is the second New Year she's been working. Last year she was on guard duty."

New Year will be Becky's third celebration on board the warship. She marked her 21st birthday while HMS Cumberland was in Bahrain.

HMS Cumberland left Devonport in mid-September for the six-month deployment.

As well as taking part in patrols, the ship has engaged in exercises with other navies and strengthened UK ties with the region through visits to Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

6 Top: Becky Mooney, serving in the Gulf and (inset) HMS Cumberland.