A MAN who knew he was going to marry his future wife when he first set eyes on her is celebrating his golden wedding with her tomorrow.

Doug Dennis was studying for a BA (Hons) degree in education at Cardiff University when he met Lynne for the first time.

He was trying to sign on for a history class and was standing outside a professor's door when he first saw her.

"I decided at that moment she was the one I was going to marry," said the 71-year-old.

"I had to set about finding out who she was. I asked among my friends and I got one of them to introduce me - it was very proper."

When the couple began courting they enjoyed bird-watching at Cardiff Castle and dining.

They married on Saturday, November 21, 1953 at St Andrew's Church in Cardiff.

Lynne said people thought they were too young to make a success of married life.

"People said it wouldn't last," said the 71-year-old.

The couple spent their honeymoon at a Cardiff hotel before returning to lectures on Monday.

After graduation, Doug studied a physical education post-graduate diploma at Loughborough University, then taught in Thame, Oxfordshire.

Lynne did research for the original launch of Surf washing powder by visiting the Welsh valleys and finding out about people's washing habits with clothes.

Their eldest child, Georgia, was born in 1956.

The couple, who celebrated their golden wedding anniversary yesterday, have four children, eight grandchildren and a foster daughter.

"We fostered children for a while in the late 80s and one has remained a good friend," said Lynne.

The couple moved to Worcester in 1969, and have lived at their current address in Tolladine Road for the last decade.

Doug used to run in-service courses teaching reading and children with special needs at Worcester Teacher Training College.

Doug, who also has a diploma in psychology, and a masters degree in neuro-psychology, became an Ofsted inspector in 1990, and retired nine years later.

Lynne was a civil servant for 14 years, and after obtaining her City and Guilds qualification in embroidery, has exhibited her work in London, Cardiff, Wolverhampton and Nottingham.

Lynne believes the secret recipe of success is friendship.

Their family is organising a celebration at a surprise venue today.