A couple who met through the Medway Messenger almost 14 years ago have got married.

Margaret and Brian Stanley made contact in the paper’s lonely hearts column in November 2003.

The businesswoman had placed a joke advert which caught the bricklayer’s attention.

It said: “Tall young looking 50-year-old non-smoker divorced lady seeks gent similar age non-smoker good sense of humour for friendship, evenings out.”

They met up and immediately hit it off.

Last month the couple travelled to Cyprus with 17 friends and family for a Mediterranean wedding.

Margaret, who was living in Rainham when they met, says she proposed last year, and was surprised he accepted.

“It’s always been a running joke that I have found something better than fish and chips in my paper,” she said.

Remembering their first encounter, the mum-of-three added: “He rang and left a message and then we met on a Friday night at the Old Ash Tree in Gillingham.

“After that we went on a date down to Whitstable. We’ve been together ever since.”

The 63-year-old, who runs Rochester-based Recognition Express, added: “We actually said we would never get married, but I decided to propose on the leap year.

“I was so surprised he said yes.”

The couple decided to move in together on March 1 after previously only spending time with each other at weekends due to their busy schedules.

Dad-of-two Brian said: “We’ve just bought a house opposite the Old Ash Tree pub, which is where we first met, it’s like we have done a full circle.

“We just clicked and 14 years later here we are, together and married.”

The 66-year-old, who was living in Rochester in 2003, added: “I remember the day she proposed, I knew something was going on.

“I said I wouldn’t marry after my late wife, but here I am, married.”

The couple wed at Paphos Town Hall and, due to some “fussy eaters” at the reception, the meal ended up being fish and chips.