IT’S TAKEN them 50 years but finally childhood sweethearts have got married after being reunited through mutual friends.

Sheila Jones and Ronnie Madsen, both 66, first met at a party in 1962 when Ronnie’s older brother John had a party and his girlfriend Ivy also Sheila’s next door neighbour invited her along.

From the meeting in Dagenham the couple, both 16, dated for 18 months. But while John and Ivy stayed together and married, Sheila and Ronnie went their separate ways.

It was at John and Ivy’s 40th wedding anniversary in 2006 the pair were reconciled and on Friday they finally married - saying they should have done it years ago.

The couple exchanged vows at Southend registry office on Friday surrounded by family and friends with a reception at the Royal British Legion in Hockley.

Sheila, who wore a bridal gown and spent the morning having her hair and make-up done, added: “We regret not doing it many years ago. Ronnie was my first love and the last five years together have been so perfect. I couldn’t wish for anything better.”