POPPING the question in a pantry might not sound the most romantic place in the world to woo your future wife but for a Northwich man it worked a treat.

Mike Higgins popped the question to Norma at her parent’s house and 50 years on they are celebrating their special anniversary The couple, who live in Granville Road, Leftwich, wed at St Wilfrid’s Church, on Saturday, October 17, 1959.

They got together in 1956 at the age of 15 and were engaged just a year later.

Mike said: “The simplest way to put it was that we were part of a group of friends and there were quite a few getting engaged so I thought I would ask Norma.

“So I went round to her house and went in the pantry and asked her to marry me right there. I put the ring on and she didn’t hesitate.

“Her mum and dad were in the house but I asked her dad officially when we got married. So basically we got engaged in a pantry!”

Mike added that he saw Norma every day when they were courting.

“When I worked on the railway, we had to go up a water tank and put special stuff in the water and the other workers would make sure I was up there when Norma walked up Parkfield Road so I could have a chance to see her every day.”

The couple, both 68, have four children, Karen, Christine, Nick and Melanie and six grandchildren, Lowansa, Kahn, Kia, Lauren, Ewan and Mathew.

Mike worked on the railways all his life, while Norma spent the majority of her working years at Woolworths, before retiring eight years ago.

They both enjoy going on holidays with their family and have visited many European holiday destinations.

To celebrate the occasion, the Higgins’ held a celebration at the Oaklands Hotel for family and friends.

Congratulate Mike and Norma on our website at northwichguardian.co.uk/forum.