A COUPLE of keen gardeners have celebrated what some people would describe as a blooming marvellous marital landmark – achieving 65 years of marriage.

Christine and John Pankhurst held a party attended by family members and close friends at their home in Burgmanns Hill last weekend to mark the occasion.

Mrs Pankhurst, 88, when asked what was the key to their long marriage, joked: “It has been a miracle at times how we have stayed together. We survive on laughter.

“We first met after a friend introduced us to one another when I moved to Exmouth back in the war time.”

The couple, both keen gardeners, allowed people to visit the grounds of their property recently when they hosted an open garden event.

Mrs Pankhurst said: “The garden was swarming with people. There were around 300 visitors who came and we managed to raise well over �1000 for the Lympstone Village Hall modernisation.”

She added: “The roses are superb at the moment. I used to open the garden for a range of good causes like Hospiscare in Exeter and the air ambulance.

“This year, though, was my swan song.”