FRANK and Mavis used to sell the news - now they've made the news!

The Great Sankey couple ran a newsagents in Honiton Square in Penketh - and they have just reached their Golden Wedding anniversary.

Frank Parkinson, aged 73, and Mavis, aged 70, moved to the area from St Helens around 25 years ago and used to run the Forbouys store.

They ran the shop as manager and manageress until Frank had to retire through ill health after around 10 years.

"We enjoyed it and you used to get to know a lot of people," said Mavis, from Phillips Drive. "And it was nice because you had your own business.

"My husband enjoys gardening and we keep busy now with the grandchildren."

And what was the answer to the perennial question; what is the secret of a long marriage?

"Give and take," said Mavis. "It's about looking out for each other, isn't it?"

They met through working at Todd Brothers foundry in St Helens and also had a store in Green Lane in Padgate.

Their daughter, Clare, is a married mum-of-one who works in human resources at Warrington Hospital and lives in Station Road.

Older sister Gillian is a married mum-of-two who works as a bereavement officer at the hospital and lives in Tannery Lane.