A COUPLE who believe they have lived in Eastleigh's historical 'bird aviary estate' longer than anyone else are celebrating 65 years of marriage.

Doris Holley, 86, and husband Ted, 89, moved into their house on Magpie Lane 56-years ago, just after the estate - where every road is named after a bird - was built.

The couple married at St Mary's Church in Southampton on July 11, 1937, when Ted was a builder and Doris was in service at a house in Portswood. After war was declared in 1939, Ted joined the RAF as a carpenter and served at Calshot in the Waterside area and also in Malta and Italy.

Following demob in 1945, Ted started work at the Eastleigh railway works and he moved to the town with his wife.

The couple have four children: David, June, Barry and Peter, who died from an asbestos-related illness two years ago, and they also have 12 grandchildren.

Ted said: "As far as I know we have lived here longer than anyone else. We moved in when the houses had only just been built.

"It used to be all forests and fields around here but the estate is pretty reasonable and we saw it all built.

"I think we have been together for 65 years because we have strong family ties which are very important."

The couple celebrated by spending a quiet day together.