AN Andover couple due to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary had an early surprise when they won Andover War Memorial Hospital's award-winning cake.

Gordon and Margaret McCoombe won the cake after being nominated by friends at the Countess of Brecknock Hospice in Andover where Mar-garet does voluntary work.

Janet Wahnon, a catering assistant at the hospital dedicated more than three months of her spare time producing the cake which won a gold award and a trophy for the best showpiece in a regional cookery competition. Gordon and Margaret are waiting until their anniversary on 18 December before they enjoy their prize.