ROMANCE failed to blossom first time around for Phyllis and Norman Taylor - she liked to dance, he didn't, and their friendship fizzled out.

But by 1947, Phyllis had swung Norman round and the twosome tied the knot at Penketh Methodist Church.

Norman, aged 74, of Phillips Drive, Great Sankey, worked as a toolmaker for Thomas Locker.

Meanwhile, Phyllis worked first for Roberts shoe repairs before moving to the Provident finance company where she stayed for 28 years.

In between, they had four children and last Saturday, friends and family - which now includes four grandchildren -toasted the golden couple as they celebrated 50 years of marriage.

Phyllis, aged 72, said: "We first met at a party when I was 16. We went out together but then I packed him in because he wouldn't go dancing. Three years later we met up again and that was it.

"It's been a great 50 years - we have a wonderful family and although we've had our ups and downs, we've always managed to work things out for the best. You have got to work together and talk about things."

Since Norman's retirement after 43 years at Locker's, he has joined Phyllis in their favourite past times - gardening, walking and, of course, dancing.

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