DERICK Hull has been thanking his lucky stars he chose the right woman after 50 happy years of marriage.

He met his wife Josephine, 71, in the Rossi's cafe in Southend High Street, but only after he got chatting to her twin sister.

Derick said: "We met at Rossi's. It was funny because I went in there for a coffee and I saw this young lady sitting at a table and I was interested, but it turned out to be her twin.

"When I struck up a conversation and asked if they were going to the pictures on Thursday I nearly went there with both of them"

The TV engineer, who worked for Davies's near the old Odeon, married his wife at St Andrew's Church in Westcliff.

The wedding was a far more thrifty affair than many ceremonies today with a wedding dress borrowed from a work colleague and a reception for 20 at a neighbour's house.

The couple had two daughters, Samantha and Michelle, five grandchildren and one great grandchild.

They lived in homes in Westcliff and Prittlewell before settling in Southend Road, Rochford.

Asked what had kept their marriage alive so long, Mr Hull, 74, laughed and said: "She's very understanding I suppose I'm not the easiest person to live with!"