Collecting milk money found David a bride - and they've been together 50 years

David and Margaret Kennedy, of Donwell, Washington, celebrating their golden wedding anniversary.

The milkman met Margaret Short as she worked at Ken Raside’s chemist shop in Concord, Washington, where she worked as a dispensing assistant for a total of 16 years.

David, now 71, who ran the Dykelands Dairy doorstep delivery service, and Margaret, 73, married at High Usworth Church before holding their reception at the Bay Hotel in Seaburn, as Margaret is originally from Sunderland.

David and Margaret Kennedy, of Donwell, Washington, on their wedding day.

They went on to become parents to Craig, 43, who works in the construction industry, and Jackie Mason, 41, a dental nurse.

They began their celebrations with their family at the weekend with a family meal and plan to enjoy their anniversary day itself with a visit to Lumley Castle for afternoon tea.

Margaret, who lives with her husband in Washington, said: “We met when he came into the chemist for the milk money and he asked me out from there.

“We can’t believe it, we just keep nipping ourselves and saying ‘Is it really 50 years?’

“We just look after each other and just get along.”

The Kennedys are grandparents of Craig’s children Kyle, 26, Craig, 24, and Keiron, 20, and great-grandparents to Craig’s son Jack, 18 months, and in-laws to Craig Snr’s partner Sharon, 38.

They are also grandparents of Scott, 16, the son of Jackie and her husband Paul, 39.

The Kennedys enjoy days out across the North East and holidays further afield in their retirement days.