HE only popped in for a packet of fags - but he ended up marrying the woman who worked behind the counter.

Now Brian and Mary Ward, both aged 69, of Broadway, Fulford, York, are celebrating 50 years of marriage.

They said Mary was working at Simpsons newsagents in Bridlington when Brian, who was in the army, came in while on leave in 1963 to buy some cigarettes and they got chatting.

After marrying in 1964 at Christ Church Bridlington, they lived in various locations including Colchester, Berlin, Chester, Northern Ireland and Strensall before settling in Fulford.

Mary worked at Connaught Court, Monk Bar Florists and Fishers fruit shop on Broadway, while Brian worked on discharge from the army at Airwork Linton on Ouse, Hamilton Ross Fishergate and the MOD at Strensall and Imphal Barracks until he retired.

The couple had a daughter Helen and son Andrew and have three grandchildren, Joe, Laura and Christopher, two step-grandchildren Amy and Matthew, and a step great grandchild, Erin, and are celebrating their golden wedding with a family dinner. Mary said her recipe for a long marriage was a 'sense of humour.'