A WEYMOUTH couple celebrated half a century of wedded bliss with afternoon tea among close friends and family.

Carol and Ken Porter held an intimate gathering of around 30 people at the Portland Heights Hotel. The couple opted for the low-key affair after celebrating their joint 70th birthday two years ago with a rock 'n' roll bash - featuring stalwarts of the Weymouth music scene, Replay.

"My wife was a bit worried the band might not still be playing if we waited 'til our golden wedding anniversary - some of them are as old as we are - so we had a big 'do at the sailing academy", said Ken.

Although on a slightly smaller scale, music was still central to the couple's golden anniversary celebrations: guests were entertained by their grandchildren, 11 year-old Finian playing the tenor horn, and Edward, age 12, who sang.

Carol and Ken have two children - Nuala and Russell - as well as their other grandchildren: Xavier, 13, George, also 13, and James, who is Edward's twin brother.

The couple met when Carol was working as a student nurse and found herself in need of a lift home from the hospital one weekend. Ken's mother happened to be the nurse supervising her, and in an inspired act of maternal wisdom, suggested she ask her son to drive her home.

The two were already acquainted, so Carol followed the advice. An invitation for a drink followed the lift, and their relationship blossomed.

The couple married in Penzance and returned there 25 years later for their silver anniversary.

Mr Porter said: "We'd just come back from Morocco two days before our golden celebration - we went there four years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it.

"We then spent the night of our anniversary in the same hotel as our wedding night, and our 25th anniversary, in Penzance."

Reminiscing on 50 years together, Ken Porter said that Weymouth has always been very close to the couple's hearts. His wife Carol grew up in the area and attended Broadwey school - now Wey Valley - and despite the couple living in Berkshire for some of their lives, visits to the resort to see her family were frequent.

Upon retiring, the decision to move to Carol's home town was a natural one.

"We've always had strong ties with Weymouth - our children have grown up with the town being part of their lives", Mr Porter said.

"We agreed we'd move back while we're young enough to enjoy it."

Maternal matchmaking and a good relationship with the in-laws seem to play a role in Carol and Ken finding not only all their years of happiness together, but so many of them in Weymouth.

But when asked the secret of a happy marriage, Ken’s focus was on communication, understanding, and give and take.

“We’re different people and we have to compromise”, he said.