PENSIONERS Ann Stewart and Robert Halliday proved it's never too late when they decided to tie the knot - at 66.

The happy couple were married yesterday at All Saints' Church, Cawood, near Selby, with their five grand-daughters as bridesmaids.

Both have been widowed and first met some 15 years ago after Mrs Stewart moved into the village from London.

After Mr Halliday lost his wife, in 1996, they saw each other regularly at Cawood Parish Church.

Mrs Stewart is a church warden and Mr Halliday is a member of the parochial church council.

"We just decided it was the right thing to do," said Mrs Stewart.

"We are both so closely involved with the village church that we could hardly go whizzing off to Gretna Green to get married."

Mrs Stewart was given away by her son Peter, 41, while her ten-year-old grandson, Michael Ronsford, read the lesson.

Her mother, Joan, 91, travelled from her home, in Surrey, for the big day.

Eric Craske, a friend of Mr Halliday's during national service in the Army more than 40 years ago, was tracked down on the Friends Reunited website and agreed to be best man.

The couple plan to honeymoon in Spain at a later date, along with other members of a wine tasting group.

Updated: 09:19 Saturday, March 20, 2004