Today the couple are celebrating half a century of wedded bliss.

Sheila, 70, and Edwin, 74, of Mallard Road, Rowlands Castle, still laugh about the time they met over a ping-pong table at the youth club of St Joseph's Church in Havant.

'I stood on the ball because I got so fed up with him winning,' laughed Sheila.

Both Portsmouth born and bred, Sheila came from a family of butchers while Edwin's relatives were builders' merchants.

The pair courted for several years and their favourite date was a night at the pictures.

'He would buy me a quarter pound of chocolates and treat me to the pictures,' said Sheila.

Edwin popped the question on Sheila's 19th birthday.

They were married at a ceremony at St Joseph's Church on September 3, 1958.

Sheila said: 'It was absolutely fabulous, a lovely wedding. It was attended by 175 guests and we had the reception in our own home that we built.'

The couple lived in Lower Road, Bedhampton, for their first 11 years of marriage before moving to Rowlands Castle.

Edwin took over the family business, Reeves Builders Supplies, based in Emsworth, until the business was sold in the 1980s.

Sheila was employed in secretarial and administration work before becoming a full-time mum.

The couple went on to have four children – Philip, Mark, Carolyn and Vanessa – and say they now love spending time with their six grandchildren.

The pair are keen golfers and have been captains of Rowlands Castle Golf Club.

Sheila was a co-founder of the Jubilee Ladies' Luncheon Club, which is still going strong today.

Meanwhile, Edwin used to be a director at Portsmouth Football Club.

They have enjoyed round-the-world tours, visiting far-flung places such as Los Angeles and New Zealand.

Throughout their journey together, there have always been laughs, said Sheila.

'He's my best friend,' she added.

'He's so generous and a kind, quiet man.

'He hasn't got a selfish bone in his body and everybody who knows him would say he's a gentleman.'