Couple married 66 years scoop Valentine prize

Charnock and Doris Wood won the Brighouse Tesco competition after writing the story of how they met on a heart and placing it on the store’s ‘love tree’.

The couple, now 89 and 88, met at a dance and hit it off but they had no way of contacting one another.

Charnock couldn’t make the dance the week after and he prayed Doris would be there the next time he was able to attend -she was and they have been together ever since.

Doris fondly remembers her first gift from Charnock -a Kit Kat and a scarf.

Sharon Kilner, a manager at Tesco, said: “We ran the competition asking customers how they met their valentine. They had to write their story out on hearts. I drew a ‘love tree’ and the hearts were the leaves.

“Charnock and Doris’ romantic story absolutely pulled at mine and my store manager’s heart strings and we decided they were the winners.

“They are still very happy and hold hands together. They also come in shopping at Tesco every Sunday morning so the staff have got to know them quite well.”

The couple have four children, 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Doris said: “Our secret to a happy marriage is sharing, caring and no lies.

“Charnock has given me flowers on every wedding anniversary except one when he was in hospital.”