Ref. 31080-23WHEN Peggy Mutton was 15, John Leighfield started following her around.

She couldn't shake him off and they ended up getting married.

The couple, of Semley Walk, in Penhill, will celebrate their golden anniversary on Saturday.

Mrs Leighfield, 72, said: "I got fed up of him following me, so agreed to go out with him. John grew on me and now I wouldn't change him for the world."

Mr Leighfield first saw his future wife at the former Green Door Caf in Fleet Street.

At the time Mrs Leighfield was a machinist at the old uniform factory Compton Sons and Webb, in Sheppard Street, and Mr Leighfield was a panel beater at G&K Car Bodies, in Stratton.

Mrs Leighfield said: "He asked my father, Leslie, for permission to marry me. My father said John was a good bloke and not to mess him about. I loved him so said 'yes'."

They were married in St Mark's Church, in Faringdon Road, on July 3, 1954.

She said: "It was good weather and we had a week in Margate for our honeymoon."

The couple had two children, David, 48, and Kaye, 43, and now have five grandchildren.

Mr Leighfield thinks sharing has helped their marriage last so long.

He said: "We share everything and never go to bed without resolving our differences. We have always worked hard but are grateful for our 50 happy years of married life."