A COUPLE who first met in 1956 before being separated for 50 years have finally tied the knot.

Jack Ward and Margaret Henderson dated each other for eight months 54 years ago, after meeting at Chester Ballroom, Chester-le-Street.

But their relationship ended when Mr Ward was sent abroad to carry out National Service.

While he was serving, his parents died and he lost his family home in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear.

Both Mr Ward, 79, and his new bride, 74, found love elsewhere and were happily married.

But in a twist of fate, the pair lost their partners, Rita and Arthur, within weeks of each other.

They were reunited romantically when Mr Ward asked his former sweetheart to dance at a regular get-together at Ryhope Working Men’s Club, Sunderland.

Mrs Ward said: “It felt like the most natural thing in the world. We didn’t speak, we just looked at each other and danced.

“We had bumped into each other about a year before our spouses died, and we all became friends again.

“But it wasn’t until we were both alone again that we became partners.

“It wasn’t planned, it just happened.

“A few weeks after the dance, Jack asked me to go and see a Frank Sinatra show at the Sunderland Empire.

“It happened very slowly and it just felt right.”

Two years later – about two months ago – Jack picked up the courage to pop the question and, on Monday, the couple, who first met aged 19 and 24, married at Our Lady Queen of Peace church in Penshaw, Wearside, before a reception at Biddick Hall, Washington, Wearside.

Mrs Ward said: “It’s very strange that it’s all worked out like this.

“The whole story is like a Catherine Cookson novel, but I’m very happy. Jack is a lovely man.

“The day itself was just what we wanted. We are very, very happy.”