Romance is still very much on the menu for one couple, who found love together almost 50 years after meeting for the first time.

Despite moving into Hythe View care home six years ago, Don Bartliff and partner Pam Kehaya still manage to make time for each other.

While Pam still lives at home in Dymchurch, she makes special trips to the North Road care home three times a week and often enjoys a cosy meal-for-two and a glass of fizz with Don.

She said: “Although Don can't speak he always greets me with a smile and a big kiss.

"He's such a lovely fella and I miss not being with him all the time.

"Just being able to share a meal together means the world to both of us, and it’s lovely to raise a glass to each other.”

But this is second time love for both Don and Pam.

The 86-year-olds actually met for the first time in 1956, when Don got engaged to the sister of Pam’s husband.

At one point they even lived across the road from each other in London with their respective partners.

But it was only after they were both widowed that love blossomed.

In 2003, they met up again and fell in love, with Don moving to Dymchurch to be closer to Pam.

But six years ago the happy couple were separated when Don suffered a stroke, which took away his speech and left him needing nursing care.

But they still manage to steal a romantic afternoon meal together at the care home.

Pam said: “We've been in each other’s lives for more than 60 years, when we lived opposite each other in London it was Don who had to fetch the midwife when I went into labour with my second daughter.

"We have a lot of laughs together and the care home always includes me in their activities - I never miss a game of bingo.”

Sharon Feleppa, Hythe View manager, said: "Don and Pam are such a lovely couple, it's important to us to give them every opportunity to spend precious time together."