Still going strong 50 years on! Childhood sweethearts, 66 and 69, who married on her 16th birthday, become Britain's youngest to celebrate golden wedding anniversary
- Shirley and Frank Hendley, 66 and 69, married in 1963
- Couple from Sale, Greater Manchester had unexpectedly become pregnant
- Now have five children, 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren
A devoted pair of childhood sweethearts are celebrating becoming Britain's youngest couple ever to reach their golden wedding anniversary.
Shirley Hendley, 66, married husband Frank, 69, when she was just 16 and he was 19, after discovering that Shirley was pregnant - and the couple are now celebrating 50 years of wedded bliss.
The pair from Sale, Greater Manchester, tied the knot back in 1963 - and half a century and five children later their relationship is still going strong.
Shirley and Frank Hendley, 66 and 69, are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary of 50 years, having married on Shirley's 16th birthday after discovering she was unexpectedly pregnant
Shirley said her parents - who are still married aged 86 and 95, and close to celebrating their 70th anniversary - set a good example for married life.
But she is still surprised she and Frank reached the milestone: 'I'm just amazed that we made it to fifty years rather than being the youngest to do so. We're still very happy together, but I certainly wouldn't recommend young people doing what I did.'
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She continued: 'I was terrified, but in those days you just got on with it - my parents said to me "you've made your bed, lie in it". So I did.'
Shirley and Frank pictured on their wedding day in 1963, Shirley's 16th birthday
The couple wed on 23 March, 1963, at Manchester Registry Office, after discovering Shirley's unplanned pregnancy.
Their first son, Darren, was born three months after their wedding, and Shirley says people still mistake mother and son for brother and sister.
She said: 'It's very funny really now that we're both getting on no-one really believes it - all his workmates think I'm his sister.
'He's 16 years younger and I'm retired, so I take that as a compliment.'
Shirley and Frank with their first child Darren in 1964
The couple, pictured in the sixties, have five children, 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren
With 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren to look after, married life has been pretty busy for the past 50 years, so the couple have planned a luxury holiday to celebrate their anniversary... and enjoy some time alone.
Taking a break from family life, the couple are visiting Hawaii, New York and Las Vegas.
Shirley said: 'I've always wanted to go and although we have a lot of family to look after and enjoy giving them treats, we thought it's time to go. It's going to be amazing and hopefully romance will be at the heart of the trip.'
Shirley and Frank, back row, with three of their children, from left, Reece, Cindy and Darren, on Darren's wedding day
Taking a break from family life, the couple are celebrating their anniversary with a holiday, and will be visiting Hawaii, New York and Las Vegas.
Shirley and Frank, pictured in 1975, have five children, 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren
Frank and Shirley Hendley are celebrating being the youngest couple in Britain to reach their golden wedding anniversary
The couple together in 2012
The couple are planning taking a holiday alone to celebrate their impressive marital milestone
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