A COUPLE have said "I do, I do, I do" after marrying each other for the third time.

And after walking up the aisle in front of their five children and 26 grandchildren, Bert and Jean Jolley vowed that this time it was definitely for keeps.

The couple first met in the former Prince Arthur pub on Canterbury Street, Blackburn, 38 years ago when Bert was 21 and Jean was 16.

Bert was already married with three children, but that relationship was doomed from the moment he saw Jean.

"She was beautiful," said Bert. "I couldn't get her out of my head.

"After my first wife and I split up I chased and chased Jean until finally she gave in."

The couple married four years later and had twins Andrew and Gene, 34, Herbert Jnr, 32, Greg, 29, and Janneen, 28.

However, after 12 years of marriage a spate of arguments led to divorce - but the split only lasted three months.

Fitter engineer Bert said: "We still spent lots of time together. It was a bit like we were courting again.

"Then we decided as we were still clearly in love we should remarry."

However, a row six years later led to the pair filing for divorce again.

The tiff was quickly sorted and Bert contacted his solicitors to stop the divorce.

"One morning we were opening the post and Jean pulled a decree nisi out of an envelope," said Bert.

Jean added: "The solicitor forms had been in the toast rack for three months.

"I had just forgotten to fill them in, so we were officially divorced even though we didn't mean to be."

The couple, of Green Lane, decided it might be better if they left things the way they were, but then Bert fell ill.

He said: "Jean had always joked she would only marry me again if I had one foot in the grave.

"I have had two heart bypasses now so we decided to get married again, this time for good.

"I am chuffed to bits that Jean agreed."

Son Gene, an acting sergeant major in the army, returned from Germany to give his mum away before heading off to Afghanistan.

After the nuptials St George's Church in Mill Hill, Blackburn, the couple celebrated at the Longshaw Community Club, with friends, family - and their 26 grandchildren.

Jean said: "The second wedding was a quiet do, we only had four people there, so it is lovely to have everybody here.

"This is definitely the best wedding out of the three."

The couple will honeymoon in Egypt later this month.

The newly weds are hoping it will now be third time lucky for their marital adventures.

Bert said: "We have been on a bit of a merry-go round, but I think overall we have had a jolly good time of it.

"We have had our ups and downs but when you find someone you truly love it would be silly to let them go - you should stick together no matter what."