IT WAS a golden moment for 14 couples who joined together to celebrate 50 years of married life.

They were invited to mark the milestone in the mayor's parlour with a delicious spread of tea, sandwiches and cakes.

In 1953 all of them said their wedding vows and now can look back on many happy memories.

One such couple is Arthur, 75, and Margaret Hollomby who fell in love while both serving in the Royal Navy

They married in Carshalton in Surrey and were posted out to different places across the country before finally setting up home in Fareham.

They say the secret to their long and happy marriage is their perfect compatibility.

"Our personalities go very well together. We both lead very active lives and have many interests," said Margaret, 73. "We have done a lot of travelling together."

The couple, who have two children and four grandchildren, said they were delighted to be guests of Fareham's new mayor, Marian Ellerton, as part of the town's over-50s festival.

Cllr Ellerton said: "This is my first function in the parlour and an excellent start to my mayoral year."