IT WAS on a jolly holiday to Scarborough that love blossomed for York golden couple Les and Margaret Horsley.

Celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary today, the couple looked back on that happiest of times.

Les, who was born and bred in York, and Margaret, originally from Stockport, continued their holiday romance via letter and telephone, and were married three years later at the Baptist church in Stockport.

Now both retired, Les worked for 20 years as a florist at Young's in Newgate, York, before working for Rowntrees.

Les, 76, and Margaret, 69, have two sons, four grand-daughters and two grandsons.

Les spends many an hour tending his garden and greenhouse, and Margaret makes the most of her free time by knitting and relaxing with a good book or crossword.

Both Les and Margaret are active members of St Mark's Church, Rawcliffe, where they were today set to celebrate with a large party featuring about 80 invited guests.

As for the secret to such a happy marriage, Margaret explained her belief in the importance of sharing and give and take in a relationship and said: "We want the best for each other - we are best friends as well as husband and wife."

Updated: 12:53 Saturday, June 09, 2001