CHOCOLATES that have remained untouched since they were given as a romantic gesture in 1953 have gone on display at a York attraction.

Bert, now aged 104, gifted the box of Black Magic chocolates when he was a young man courting his future wife, Joey.

Throughout more than four decades of marriage, Joey didn’t eat a single one.

Now, 65-years-later, the chocolates remain intact and practically untouched.

The couple kept the box as a reminder of the happy beginning to their relationship; a happiness that endured until Joey’s passing more than 20-years-ago.

Bert has decided that now is the time to share his story and consulted his daughter, who in turn contacted York’s Chocolate Story attraction.

General manager Stuart Wood was delighted to put them on display.

He said: “These are the real human stories that you can’t just find in a book.

“This is what we are all about at York’s Chocolate Story.

“There’s nothing quite like a love story, and this one is particularly special.”

He added: “We definitely weren’t expecting something like this!”

The chocolates are housed in a limited-edition box that was released to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

There is a slight misprint on the box, making it a totally unique and invaluable item.

The box will be displayed as part of York’s Chocolate Story’s current exhibition, Times of Change: Women and Confectionery.

The exhibition showcases the often unsung roles that women had in shaping the chocolate industry.

It includes Mary Tuke – who created a successful cocoa business and paved the way for companies such as Rowntree’s – to Mary Ann Craven’s humbugs.