A TEENAGE romance which began in the double seats at Moldgreen’s old Regal Cinema blossomed into a lifelong love affair.

The couple were married at Kirkheaton Parish Church in 1961 and yesterday, Gerald and Denise Smith, of Edale Avenue, Newsome, celebrated their golden wedding.

Mr Smith said: “We met when we were both 14 or 15 and still at school. Everybody seemed to go to the Regal on a Sunday night, the double seats were possibly the attraction.”

The talented couple shared an interest in active pursuits. Mr Smith was signed part-time by Bill Shankly for Huddersfield Town. He played for Town’s second team and later for Bradford City’s first team.

Mrs Smith was a keen dancer and appeared in productions in Huddersfield’s Palace and Theatre Royal. In the 1950’s she auditioned for professional troupe The Leslie Roberts Silhouettes in London, but, at age 15, was told she was too young. She later worked as a worsted mender at James Shires.

Mr Smith served an apprenticeship as a typewriter mechanic before going on to manage a wholesale stationers and then working as a bus driver based at Waterloo for 18 years.

The couple have two children – Martin, who died aged 29, and Dawn – and three grandchildren.

They are looking forward to celebrating their anniversary with a party at the Fountain in Newsome next week.