THEY'VE had their ups and downs but after 50 years of marriage Edna Sturgess cannot imagine life without her doting husband.

Bert, 75 and Edna, 73, of 81 Hinkler Road, Thornhill, met on a coach trip to Weymouth 52 years ago and they haven't looked back since.

The Southampton couple have four children, eight grandchildren and a great-grandson and are celebrating their golden wedding.

After receiving a surprise anniversary itinerary on the big day from their children Ian, Julie, Janice and Karen, Bert and Edna were whisked off in the glamorous limo around Southampton to visit where they grew up as children.

Emotions ran high for the pair when they stopped outside St Edward's Church in Netley Abbey - where their wedding took place all those years ago in 1953.

Edna said: "It was lovely. We went to old Netley where I grew up and then all round Bitterne where Bert used to live.

"But when we got to the church I cried. It was so emotional thinking back to the happy day and all the people we have lost since then who were at the wedding.

"I could never be without Bert now."

Bert shares Edna's feelings exactly, he said: "We both feel the same about each other. I don't know what attracted me to Edna but we just clicked and that was that."

The tour was brought to a close with a posh lunch at the Wickham Vineyard, Wickham - the perfect end to the perfect day.

But the couple have not been without testing times.

Two years ago Bert suffered a heart attack and went into hospital for a bypass operation, leaving Edna sick with worry.

But eventually he recovered and the two of them say it has only made them stronger for the years ahead.

After the birth of their first great-grandson, Adam, last Wednesday, the celebrations can only continue.

Edna said the secret of their success was brutal honesty: "We tell each other everything - we have no secrets ever.

"I think that is the key to a good marriage."