A COUPLE who met through the Lancashire Telegraph’s Two’s Company lonely hearts column are celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary today.

Pete Blount, 61, and wife Margaret, 59, found love after he placed an advert back in 1999.

Encouraged by her children, Margaret called after reading Pete’s ad which said ‘49-year-old man, overweight but cuddly, with own home and car, drives around the country and loves car boots. Teetotal but smokes’.

Former long-distance lorry driver Pete, who was living in Lloyd Street, Darwen, at the time, decided to meet up with Margaret after speaking to her on the phone.

He said: “I had spoken to a few women after I had placed the ad but Margaret was the first person I met.

"We get on well and we have a good laugh.”

They met outside the Booths in Penwortham before the pair went to a pub in Hutton for a non-alcoholic drink and by the end of the evening Pete had met Margaret’s children.

Within six months Pete had moved out of his home in Darwen to live with Margaret in Penwortham.

And on May 19 2001, they were married at Preston Register Office.

Pete, who is now cared for by his wife after he was diagnosed with heart problems, said: “I can’t thank my friend Geoff Johnson enough.

"He encouraged me to put a piece into the paper.”

Margaret said: “My daughter coaxed me to go and I’m glad I did.”

The pair have 27 grandchildren and currently live in sheltered accommodation in Walton-le-Dale.

They will be going out for a meal to celebrate.