CHILDHOOD sweethearts Ronald and Mary Brown are due to celebrate 50 years of married life next week.

The couple, who have five children, 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, will mark their golden wedding anniversary with friends and family at the RAOB Club in Otley next weekend.

Originally from Leeds, the Rawdon couple were married on July 25, 1953 at the church of St Martin's in the Field at Chapel Allerton, in Leeds.

They had known each other since being teenagers and more than 50 years later are still very happy.

The newly married couple moved to Otley in 1961 where Ronald, 71, was a telephone engineer based at the Nelson Street Post Office, working throughout the town to Blubberhouses.

"I was well chuffed with the job and wish I was still doing it," said Ronald.

Mary worked at Otley's Wharfedale Hospital as a domestic for 14 years and later as a home help, also in Otley.

Unable to buy the right house in Otley, the couple moved to Layton Park Close, Rawdon, where they have lived for 15 years.

But next weekend the couple will return to Otley where their family and many friends still live for what promises to be a great celebration.