A COUPLE who today celebrated 50 years of marriage, admitted they had originally arranged dates with each other’s friends before falling in love.

Eileen and Edward Whitworth, of Dodgson Road, Cowley, Oxford, were married at St Matthew’s Church, Grandpont, Oxford, in 1959.

They had met the previous year in an Oxford pub, each accompanied by a friend.

Mrs Whitworth, 70, who was born Eileen Jefferies, said: “My friend made a date with Ed, but I made a date with his friend. Then I ended up marrying Ed and she married his friend.”

Mr Whitworth, 76, was in the Royal Navy, then worked for Morris Motors in Cowley and as a self-employed carpenter.

Mrs Whitworth worked in Marks & Spencer for many years, before having two daughters, Karen and Deborah. She now volunteers at the Helen & Douglas House charity shop in Cowley.

The couple celebrated with a party for about 80 members of family and friends at Oxford Golf Club.