A Wallington couple who were childhood sweethearts married this weekend after losing touch for nearly 40 years.

Mr and Mrs Simmonds say before James decided to track down his first love Judy just over a year ago, they had "just settled for existence".

The couple had first dated back in 1964 when she was 16 and he was 18 but were separated when James's parents decided to emigrate to Australia.

They finally tied the knot on Saturday in front of 50 of their closest friends and family at Sutton Registry Office in Worcester Road.

Mrs Baker said: "This just shows that good things can happen to you when you least expect it."

January 30, 2003 10:00