YOU'VE heard of the girl next door — well, Don James ended up marrying her.

He and Louvain grew up next to one another in Abercedi, Penclawdd.

Their friendship blossomed into romance, and recently the happy couple celebrated 50 years of wedded bliss.

Louvain said: "It was the typical boy and girl next door romance. It still feels like yesterday when I look back."

But it wasn't all plain sailing to begin with. The couple, who had been friends from a young age, were forced apart when Don signed up with the Royal Air Force.

"At that point we were not an item because he was too old for me," explained Louvain. "But it's like any friend who goes away for a while, you're sorry to see them go."

However, when Don had returned home aged 23, he soon fell for 16-year-old Louvain.

He plucked up the courage to ask her on a date, taking her first of all to the cinema in Loughor.

A year later he popped the question, after getting approval from his future bride's family.

The couple tied the knot at County Hall in Swansea on November 21, 1959.

They went on to live at Louvain's parents house before moving to nearby Cabau Isaac.

See our slideshows of weddings and wedding anniversaries

And since then Don, aged 74, and Louvain, aged 67, have had four children — Karen, Denise, Gerald and Gareth.

"We've also got 11 grandchildren and one great grandchild," added former cockle picker Louvain.

Their family came together to celebrate the couple's golden wedding anniversary with a special party at The King Arthur Hotel in Reynoldston, Gower.

"Don and I are so lucky to have one another," added Louvain.

"What advice would I give to younger couples? Well there's always ups and downs in any marriage, but you have to work together through things.

"It's certainly worth it in the end."

ben.wright@swwmedia.co.uk