A KIDDERMINSTER couple have celebrated 50 years of marriage by being taken on a cruise through the Mediterranean by their family.

Marilyn, 69, and Norman Greybanks, 71, tied the knot at Holy Innocents Church, in Foley Park, Kidderminster at 12.30 on September 26, 1964.

The couple, who have two sons, Steven and Carl, and three granddaughters, Emma, Jessica and Pheobe, celebrated their anniversary on an Aegean cruise where they travelled to Athens in Greece, together with their family members.

Marilyn said: “It was a brilliant cruise – the children really spoilt us.

“It was a wonderful trip and we stopped off at a different port each day until the last day when we hit storms, but the captain kept us safe and sheltered.”

During their working lives, Norman spent time as a carpet weaver at Morris Carpets and then with Brintons, while Marilyn, nee Burgess, worked as an optician's secretary at Stephens Opticians in Church Street.

Now, in retirement Norman enjoys fishing, gardening and supports the Rhydd Covert Scout camp site, while Marilyn enjoys baking and line dancing, as well as touring the country with her husband in their caravan.

According to Marilyn, the secret to their 50 years of wedded bliss is for the relationship to always stay equal.

“It’s all about equal give and take,” she said.

“Although Norman would say that he does the giving and I do the taking.”