Relatives of crew members aboard the Ark Royal say they are proud but fearful of what might happen to their loved ones.

About 3,000 troops set sail for the Gulf on Saturday, with the possibility of involvement in military action against Iraq.

Jean and Ray Phillips, from Wakefield, travelled to Portsmouth to wave off their daughter-in-law Claire, 30, on board the Ark Royal.

Mrs Phillips told the BBC she had "mixed feelings" about the ship's destination.

Jean Phillips will miss her daughter-in-law Claire

"I'm a bit apprehensive but we're very proud of her. She's a lovely girl and we'll miss her for the time that she's away."

The Phillips family also have two sons who are in the Navy, and have seen action several times.

"We're very, very proud of all of them - especially Claire, because of the situation she's going into.

"It never gets any easier - it never becomes worse, it never becomes any better when you're waving family off to what could be a war situation.

I am just hoping that nothing comes of it, that something is done to stop us all Crew member's mother

"I know in theory they're going out on exercise, but if they are required then they're ready and trained and prepared for it."

Duty

Mrs Phillips added: "It's a bit frightening for them, but I think also there's a lot of excitement that they're going to do the job that they've been training for."

Sharing those mixed feelings was Sharon Germy, 32, wife of Simon, a petty officer on the ship.

She said she first found out about him being posted on Ark Royal before Christmas and although she knew the day would come eventually, it was hard to finally see him go.

"He was a little bit nervous I think because he does not know exactly what they are going into," she added.

Today my son sails on the Ark Royal - he's going to do his duty, as will all his shipmates Diggy Don, father of shipman

The mother of radar maintainer Angela Scales, said: "We are all very nervous about it. Hopefully she'll be safe.

"I am just hoping that nothing comes of it, that something is done to stop us all."

Other families e-mailed BBC News 24 to say how they felt.

Diggy Don said: "My grandfather, my father and myself all served in the armed forces to defend the interests of this country.

"Today my son sails on the Ark Royal. He's going to do his duty, as will all his shipmates.

"But this time he'll be doing it to defend America's global expansionist ideas.

"Mr Blair take note, we're going to remember this at the ballot box."