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FORMER wedding chaffeur James Nicklin still has eyes for only one bride - his childhood sweetheart Gillian - as the couple celebrates 50 golden years of marriage.

The 69-year-old former Rolls Royce driver ensured scores of brides reached the church on time during almost 20 years of weekend work, supplementing his week day job at Cradley Heath engineering firm Perry's Hinges.

Both Netherton-born, they met at Northfield Road School, and married at St Andrew's Church - where years later they watched with pride as their two daughters Sue and Wendy walked down the same aisle on their wedding days.

The couple, who have five grandchildren, have lived around Derby End for most of their lives and after 36 years living in Double Row, moved to a bungalow in Lynbrook Close eight years ago.

Gillian, aged 70, stayed at home to look after their daughters until they were older when she became a familiar face behind the delicatessen counter at Oldbury's Savacentre for 14 years.

They are now making the most of their retirement with plenty of holidays and will mark their golden wedding with a surprise four-day cruise to Spain organised by their daughters following a celebration meal and party with family and friends.

"We've always been friends and lovers and are so happy just being together. It's important to keep saying you love one another. We are very lucky," said Gillian.

James added:"I love her just as much now as I always have and I always will."

11:30am Wednesday 26th March 2008

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