GOLDEN couple Gladys and Bill Aldridge were wartime penfriends for a year before they met and fell in love.

Blackburn born and bred Gladys began writing to Londoner Bill while he was serving with the Army.

When they finally met they quickly fell in love and got engaged but waited until after the war to tie the knot.

The couple, both 70, of Queensway, Brinscall, are celebrating 50 happy years of marriage today - and they are still the best of friends.

During their working life Gladys worked at Cherry Tree Mill and Bill worked on the railways before moving to work in a woodyard where he retired after 25 years.

Nowadays they both enjoy gardening although Gladys cannot do as much as she used to for health reasons.

The pair have two sons Michael and William and two grandchildren Paul and Debbie.

They believe the recipe for a long and happy marriage is simple - just learn to give and take.

Gladys said: "We are still best friends after all this time. Bill is the best husband I could have wished for."

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