A YORK couple who met by chance at a bus stop were celebrating 50 years of happy marriage.

Ernest and Hettie Stares, of Huntington, first met at a bus stop in Wetherby in 1948. Ernest, who had just completed his National Service, was waiting there when he saw Hettie getting off a bus. He asked her if she wanted to go to the pictures, where they met again later that evening.

Six years later, they were married in Wetherby.

The couple spent most of their married life in Tadcaster, where Ernest worked as a postman for 38 years, finishing as sorting office manager.

They moved to York just over ten years ago, to be near their daughter, Paula, who lives with her husband and two children in Strensall.

Ernest, 74, said married life was about "give and take".

He said: "We've had our ups and downs, but we have enjoyed life."

The couple were celebrating their golden wedding with family, having recently returned from a "second honeymoon" in Skegness.

Hettie, 72, said of her husband: "He's a lovely lad - and I love him to bits."

Dancing feet brought pair together

THEY met while dancing at York's De Grey Rooms more than 50 years ago, and Donald and Joan Farrar have never looked back.

The couple, who also live at Huntington, were celebrating their golden wedding by renewing their vows.

It was in 1951 that Donald, now 73, asked if he could walk Joan, now 70, home from a dance.

Three years later, after Donald had completed his National Service in Scotland, the couple married in St Wilfrid's Roman Catholic Church, in Duncombe Place, York.

They were renewing their vows in St Chad's Church, in front of daughters Carole and Julie and other family members, before having a party.

Granddaughter Cheryll, 16, will be bridesmaid.

Donald said: "I wouldn't say it was love at first sight, but we were certainly attracted to each other. It should be a lovely day."

Updated: 09:42 Saturday, March 27, 2004