Couple wed 50 years after splitting up

A Devon couple have proved that true love can last through anything - even half a century of being apart.

John Searle and Maggie Crook first met back in 1952 when they were teenagers and after spending their adolescence together as a couple, got engaged at 18 and commenced their wedding planning.

However, when Maggie's nursing career took her off to Canada and John's commitments to the Royal Marines saw him shipped overseas, they were forced to forget sending wedding invitations and went their separate ways.

Now, 50 years after splitting and two marriages down the line, the pair have tied the knot once and for all after rekindling in 2007.

John told the Telegraph: "I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with my first true love."

Meanwhile, Bill and Bridget Temple from Flimby celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this week, for which they raised £1,000 to donate to the West Cumberland Hospital, the Times and Star reports.

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