SURELY it must be among the greatest love stories ever told. For Frank and Ada Penketh, who met in the schoolyard at the age of five, are still holding hands 86 years later!

Both aged 91, the two former Sunday school teachers live in Dentons Green, St Helens. They have clocked up 63 years of blissful married life and count their blessings that they still remain in the best of health.

In fact, Frank still drives his car, having held a licence since 1932!

Extremely well-known locally for his work as chairman of the Guide Dogs for the Blind between 1973 and 1986, he has written to me in a bold, firm hand in reply to an earlier 'Cupid's Bow' piece, relating the childhood crush of a Newton-le-Willows pensioner.

Keen gardener Frank, who had a butcher's business in Cambridge Road, Newtown, for two decades, was rewarded for his tireless charity work by introductions to the Queen and other senior Royalty.

And he believes that his life's experience can challenge all others.

He started at St Thomas's School in Peter Street, St Helens, at the age of five. "As little boys do, we used to chase the girls around the playground , trying to kiss them."

Frank's favourite was Charlotte Ada Gladwin, a pretty little girl with lovely golden curls. One day he declared to his young pal, Tom Woods, that he would marry her when he grew up. Tom treated the remark with scorn. When Frank was seven he was asked if he could sing a song for Empire Day, an occasion which was enthusiastically celebrated in those long-ago times.

He chose to sing a popular song of the day, but during the concert suffered stage fright and only managed the first line.

Teacher asked if anyone could help, and a little girl stepped forward. "It was none other than Ada Gladwin, and we both stood in front of the class holding hands and singing 'Till the Sands of the Desert Grow Cold.'"

And, says Frank: "Believe me they haven't gone cold yet!"

Both became Sunday school teachers and joined in various church activities, while leading their own separate lives.

Then, when in their mid-twenties, the pair decided to start a dancing class for youngsters in one of the church organisations. "Unfortunately, no-one turned up so I suggested that we went together to the cinema."

And that's when Cupid stepped in.

They married on Christmas Day, 1936. Says Frank: "We still have a clock on the sideboard given to us as a wedding present by the Sunday school scholars. It is still ticking away after 63 years of happy marriage.

"We have had a great and adventurous life," says a grateful Frank who is still a keen gardener and a regular motorist (he's held a licence since 1932)

And now, he and his childhood sweetheart, who have three children and seven grandchildren ("all doing extremely well") are looking forward to both clocking up their century with the traditional birthday greetings telegram from the Queen he had the honour to meet.

WHAT a fabulous example to every married couple in the land!