A WARRINGTON couple has celebrated 50 years of marriage after being reunited following the easing of lockdown restrictions.

Frank Thompson was finally able to visit his wife Ivy at Belong Warrington after being apart from her for four months.

The happy couple, both 75, were treated to a gold themed, socially distanced, outdoor celebration, featuring balloons, prosecco, and cake.

Throughout lockdown, visits to the Loushers Lane dementia care village were placed on hold, helping to reduce the threat of coronavirus to residents and staff.

Thanks to regular testing, Belong Warrington has no cases of Covid-19, allowing the outdoor visit to go ahead.

When asked about the secret to a long and happy marriage, Frank joked: "Always say yes to your wife!"

He added: "Sharing decisions and compromise always helps, but the secret is really caring and loving one another."

As teenagers, Frank and Ivy were introduced by a mutual friend and enjoyed a blind date at the cinema.

They got engaged a few years later following another date at the Belle Vue Zoological Gardens in Manchester.

Frank explained: "We’d been out dancing at the famous Elizabethan Ballroom.

"I drove Ivy home and we sat in the car outside her house and I asked her to marry me.

"She said ‘yes’ straight away – it was the perfect day."

Four years later, the couple got married at Holy Trinity Platt Church, in Platt Fields, Manchester, surrounded by their family and friends.

After a honeymoon in St Ives, Cornwall, they purchased their first house together in Warrington.

Ivy recently moved into one of Belong Warrington’s ‘households’ to receive around-the-clock care and support.

Claire Bibby, general manager at Belong Warrington, said: "We were so pleased to be able to welcome Frank back to the village in time to celebrate his and Ivy’s golden wedding anniversary.

"It’s been a challenging few months for everyone and to be able to enjoy easing of lockdown restrictions with such a special occasion is particularly warming.

"Congratulations to Frank and Ivy."