A COUPLE who met as young reporters on the Birmingham Planet newspaper mark their golden wedding anniversary today (Saturday).

Dermod and Alison Hill lived all over the UK and abroad as Dermod’s career evolved into public relations.

They moved to Salisbury some 30 years ago and stayed, despite Dermod becoming director of information at the Office of Fair Trading in London.

Dermod viewed the lengthy daily commutes positively as an opportunity to indulge a love of Dickens and George Elliot.

Now retired, Alison is a well-known friendly face among the dog-walking community of Old Sarum and a hands-on grandmother.

Having completed a two-year appointment as church warden of St Thomas's, Dermod has more time to pursue his love of music, including membership of a local quartet and St Thomas’ choir.

The couple, who have two daughters and two grandchildren, will celebrate their anniversary later in the year with a family holiday in the South of France.