A COUPLE who had a calamitous start to their honeymoon are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary today.

Margaret and Arthur Hobbs, from Grange Park, in West Swindon, headed off for a honeymoon in Brighton.

Margaret said: "It had been a lovely wedding but when we arrived in Brighton I realised I had not brought any addresses of where we were staying.

"So we drove asking for some help and someone let us use their telephone and we called back to Swindon.

"Someone then had to run back to our house to get the details. We are still reminded of it all now and probably will be again today."

The couple first met in Swindon's Wills Tobacco factory where Arthur, now 73, was working as a carpenter and Margaret, now 69, was an assistant.

They married at St Mary's Church in Rodbourne and lived in Cricklade Road. Margaret left work to have the couple's three children, David, Linda and Andrew.

Arthur began driving a taxi. When he started there were only 20 serving the town. He drove taxis for 35 years and now is a chauffeur for Burmah Castrol. He also enjoys football and they both enjoy gardening and travelling to Spain.

Asked about the secret to his long marriage, Arthur said: "I wonder why Margaret puts up with me. A long marriage is down to give and take and making sure you have a good family around you."

The couple will be celebrating with family and friends.