A HORRABRIDGE couple celebrated 50 years of marital bliss last week with a cake made to look like their local newspaper!

Barney and Pam Gawman were married at Horrabridge Church on February 20 1954 and have lived in the village all their married life.

Their home — Franco Farm — is a smallholding which has been in Pam's family since 1901 when it was bought and farmed by her grandparents.

Pam was brought up there by her father after being evacuated during the Plymouth blitz and met Barney, the son of a local shoemaker at a dance in the village Drill Hall.

It was love at first sight.

They were married two years later and went on to have six children, three boys and three girls — Barry, John, George, Pat, Susan and Joy — who were all looking forward to their parents' big day.

Joy said: 'They're a lovely couple, very popular and very down to earth.

'Marriage takes work but they make it look easy.'

Nowadays the couple no longer dance but Pam enjoys walking the couple's three dogs on the moor and Barney is a keen horseracing fan.

The golden wedding celebrations included a full Chinese banquet washed down with champagne.

The piéce de resistance was the fantastic cake which was made by the couple's daughter Pat.

When asked the secret for such a happy marriage Barney had the answer: 'Have a good row at least once a week - it clears the air and you can get on with the week ahead'.

Pam smiled and nodded before adding: 'It's worked for us anyway!'