A CHANCE meeting at a bus stop on a rainy day sparked a decades-long romance for Emerald couple Mike and Maureen Hannan.

The couple celebrated their 55th Emerald anniversary with a private candle-lit date in the vintage tearoom at Hambleton Grange care home in Thirsk after staff secretly organised the special event.

The pair met in 1964 when Mike was waiting in the pouring rain to catch a bus to begin his day working as an apprentice secretary.

Maureen happened to pass him on her Vespa scooter and stopped to offer him a lift to work.

Maureen continued to pass the same bus stop each day and began to carry a spare helmet in the hope of seeing Mike again.

Sure enough, they were reunited a few weeks later when Mike hitched another lift to work on the back of Maureen’s scooter.

Shortly after, the couple went on their first date where they recall driving to Hawnby in a Mini Cooper to have a scenic picnic.

Maureen said: "I remember Mike prepared everything, even down to making the double-decker ham sandwiches.

"Whilst we were eating all the sheep on the hill flocked around us!"

Mike added: "It was a lovely spot, it is all about the little things, it is interesting that all these years on you remember that sort of detail."

Mike asked Maureen for her hand in marriage during a midnight mass church service on Christmas Eve and in 1966 the pair tied the knot in front of their friends and family at Easingwold Registry Office, followed by a Church Blessing at Stockton Forest Church.

On the day of their surprise anniversary lunch, Mike and Maureen were thrilled to find the Hambleton Grange tearoom decorated with balloons, flowers, bunting and fairy lights.

Their favourite Doris Day song, Que Sera Sera was playing in the background.

The emotional surprise left the care team crying with happiness for the couple as they shared a loving hug and kiss before sitting down to a delicious three course meal that included Mike’s favourite dessert; chocolate ganache with strawberries and cream.

Mike and Maureen were incredibly grateful to the team, thanking them for creating such a romantic way to celebrate.

Mike said: "I simply couldn’t ask for more, the staff at Hambleton Grange have been incredibly thoughtful, our date was wonderful – I can’t thank them enough for what they did to help us celebrate our 55th wedding anniversary."

Lifestyle manager, Linzi Williamson said: "We are so pleased we could make Mike and Maureen’s anniversary so special.

"They are the definition of soulmates and I am delighted to see how much they enjoyed their special meal."

Nikki Higgins, home manager at Hambleton Grange said: "Maureen and Mike are absolutely fantastic, they love each other very much and enjoy being in each other’s company.

"I love hearing their stories from times gone by and how they have stuck together through thick and thin.

"A true inspiration to us all."