IT was love at first sight for Ludgershall couple Gordon and Shirley Brown who have just celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

Just two weeks after a chance meeting in a caf in Tidworth, the couple from Wood Park were engaged and planning their wedding to coincide with Gordon's 21st birthday.

"Gordon said to his friend he was going to marry the girl behind the counter, which was me, but after he asked me out I had to see when I was free!," recalled Shirley, aged 68. It didn't take the pair long to realise they were meant to be together, and they married on 13 December 1952 at Devizes Register Office.

The couple moved to Ludgershall where they've lived ever since, and while Gordon worked as a floorer, Shirley raised their family of two girls and a boy.

"Our family is the most important thing to us and we now have eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren," said Shirley, who's also passionate about collecting dolls.

All the family was there to wish the couple well at a huge celebration in Ludgershall Memorial Hall, and now Gordon and Shirley are looking forward to another family get-together when their granddaughter Sophie gets married next year in Florida.