A PAIR of green-fingered lovebirds from Beaminster have received a congratulations from the Queen to mark a momentous milestone as they celebrate 65 years as a married couple.

Michael Higman, 92, and his wife 86-year-old Joan will officially celebrate their blue sapphire anniversary next week after first locking eyes seven decades ago.

Their son Adrian said his parents first met in Cornwall and married in 1957, before having to use petrol rationing coupons while honeymooning in a Morris Minor due to the Suez crisis at that time.

He said: "They met in Looe, Cornwall where my dad was working as a bank clerk and my mum was a civil servant.

"Ironically, their first home was a flat above a bank in Looe, but it wasn't the bank where my dad worked.

"They were married in Butleigh, Somerset on March 30, 1957 followed by a honeymoon in the Wye Valley, in a Morris Minor using petrol rationing coupons due to the effects of the Suez crisis.

"After a few years they moved to Camelford and had two sons, myself and my brother Clive.

"In 1965 the family moved to Reading and on to Buckinghamshire, where Michael was a bank manager and Joan worked at a post office.

"In 1987, they retired and moved to Beaminster, Dorset.

"They both love gardening and also joined the Bridport Bowling Club.

"My dad still plays indoor and outdoor bowls at the age of 92, while my mum helps out in the Beaminster Museum.

"They received a congratulations card from the Queen, and celebrated their blue sapphire anniversary with a small family party."

Adrian spoke about the challenges his parents faced during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He added: "The last few years has been challenging with health problems, but they have been lucky with deliveries from the shops in Beaminster during the pandemic - and my dad still gets behind the wheel at his age.

"My brother Clive is now retired in Buckinghamshire, and I have been married to my wife Lynn for many years. We also retired to the west country, and our children are named Emily and Mark."