A FORMER British soldier and his German bride, who overcame prejudice in post-war Germany, were today celebrating 50 years of marriage.

George and Rita Lowe, aged 74 and 72, of Leeside, Dringhouses, York, were returning to the German village where they met and fell in love, Rhynern, near Hamm, to celebrate their golden wedding.

Mrs Lowe said: "My husband was in the Army and he passed our house every day testing vehicles after the war.

"He started coming to our house asking if he could take me out. Somehow he mixed in well and everybody loved him.

"We courted for a couple of years and got married there in the village.

"It was difficult with some people. It was not so long after the war and they were still classed as the enemy.

"In the village everybody knew everybody's business and we got some mucky looks and people talked behind our backs.

"But he was the most handsome man there."

Mrs Lowe said her husband, who spoke German, was discharged from the Army because of ill-health and they returned to his home city of York - a place she quickly fell in love with and where she quickly learned to speak English.

Mr Lowe worked in various engineering jobs and Mrs Lowe looked after their two daughters, Becky, now aged 35, and Georgina, now 38.

They also have two young grandchildren, Sophie and Henry.

Mrs Lowe said: "My husband is one of the best. He would get the moon for me if he could reach it.

"So I made a good choice."

Updated: 10:40 Saturday, August 02, 2003