A COUPLE who fell in love during a whirlwind romance are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

Mick and Marion Richings, of Himbleton Road, St John’s, Worcester, were told their relationship would never last after they met, got engaged and tied the knot in just six months.

But five decades down the line, the pair, who have five children, have more than proven their love was the real deal and are celebrating their golden wedding today.

Former Worcester City footballer Mr Richings said that it was love at first sight when the couple met at Fletchers Dance Studio in Pierpoint Street.

“I usually went somewhere else, but I went along to Fletchers that night and when I saw Marion I said to my friend ‘I’m taking that girl home’,” said the 71-year-old.

“He said, ‘You’d better hurry’ because she was walking out the door.”

Mrs Richings said: “Within a week he’d asked me to marry him and we got engaged on New Year’s Eve.”

The couple married at St Barnabas Church, off Rainbow Hill, on May 27, 1961. They are proud grandparents of 13 and great grandparents of two, with another soon to arrive.

Mrs Richings said compromise, team work and a close family were the secrets to their long and happy marriage. She said: “We come from such similar backgrounds. Mick was one of 10 and I was one of seven so we’ve always had a very close family.

“We’ve had our ups and downs, we’re not perfect, but we won’t go to bed on an argument. He does the cooking while I do the cleaning.”

The pair will celebrate with a meal tonight.