A MARRIED couple who were born within a week of each other in the same hospital are both celebrating their 80th birthdays.

Dorothy and Peter Turpin will share eight decades of fond memories and coincidences this week as they look back on their lives.

In December 1932, their mothers were only a few beds apart in Acomb Nursing Home. But as the expectant mums became friends, they could not have dreamt that their children would one day be married, and their union would span more than 55 years.

Mrs Turpin, who lives with her husband in Wigginton Road, said: “We both grew up in the Burton Stone Lane area, and I often heard about Mrs Turpin and her son, Peter. Peter was a twin, but sadly, his sister died soon after birth.

“It wasn’t until we were 21 years old that we actually met in person. A few years later we got married.”

A promising football career beckoned for Mr Turpin until he was blinded in one eye after a group of youths were throwing darts in a park, said Mrs Turpin, and he went on to found Peter Turpin Associates Design & Print Services in Clifton Moor.

She said: “To think of everything he’s achieved despite the injury is incredible.”

As well as lecturing at York Art College for ten years, Mr Turpin was a graphic designer working in Leeds and Scotland before setting up the family-run business in York. The couple officially retired four years ago, allowing their son, Mark, to help with the running of the business.

The Turpins’ three children, Mark, 49, Carol Hart 52 and Lynn Copeland 45, are all proud of their parents’ milestone.

Lynn said: “We’re sure they’ll both have a brilliant 80th birthday and we really wish them all the best and want them to have a great time. They’re brilliant parents – two in a million.”