May and Malcolm Johnston prove that it's never too late to find love.

The couple, of Browside Road, Dearham, tied the knot in Workington on Saturday, October 31.

Malcolm, 66, was widowed and May, 68, was divorced when they met, but they will now spend their retirement together.

They became next door neighbours four years ago when Malcolm moved to the street and a friendship started to develop.


May used to work with Malcolm's sister Doris, but little did she know that would go on to marry a man she used to catch a glimpse of from time to time.

Malcolm says: "I used to see her face about. As time went on we became friends and neighbours and it just went from there.

"Up until last March I was out of the house 14 hours a day, but we have become very close and we're happy and more relaxed.

"We both get on well and have that many interests. She's happy-go-lucky 90 per cent of the time and we have got happiness now."

Malcolm is a former miner and engineer and May used to work in a shoe factory, as a care worker and at Sainsbury's in Cockermouth.

And when the couple became neighbours the plants in May's garden were not the only things blossoming as a romance began to bloom.

May says: "It started when he was cracking jokes over the fence and because two of the other neighbours do the same I thought 'that's three now!'.

"It just grew over the fence. We like a lot of the same things. He's absolutely wonderful and has the loveliest blue eyes and he's got a really good sense of humour."

After four years as friends Mr and Mrs Johnston had a white wedding at the Helena Thompson Museum.

Although Malcolm has no children of his own, May's three children and seven grandchildren all played their part on the day and her five granddaughters were bridesmaids. 

May adds: "The wedding was fantastic. My son gave me away and all the people who work at the museum could not have done a better job.

"They made it a very special day for us.

"This would never have happened if he hadn't moved in next door.

"I've got a second chance at life and I just hope we last a long time."