WHEN Peter Knowles went to the cinema one night 52 years ago he ended up rummaging in the dark for a lipstick dropped by a girl in the row behind.

But he never thought for a minute that he would end up marrying her.

That is exactly what happened, however – and the couple, from St Nicholas Park in Old Marston, Oxford, are now celebrating their golden wedding anniversary Mr Knowles, now 73, tied the knot with Christine Masterman at St John’s Church in Caversham, Reading, five decades ago today.

Recalling the moment he first set eyes on his future wife, Mr Knowles said: “We were at the pictures in Reading. I can even remember what film it was – it was called Happy as the Bride.

“Christine was with a friend and was rummaging around looking for something. I asked her what had happened, and she told me she had lost her lipstick so I got down on the floor to try and find it for her.

“During the conversation I found out where she worked.”

Through a mutual acquaintance, the pair exchanged letters and arranged to meet.

Mr Knowles added: “I couldn’t really see her in the darkness of the cinema, so it was almost like a blind date when I saw her again.

“At the time I was a bit of a shy, sheltered boy, but I thought ‘here goes’.”

Two years later the couple went down the aisle and honeymooned in Torquay.

They settled in Reading, movedto Essex for five years and then came to Oxford, with Mr Knowles becoming a postman at the city’s Becket Street Royal Mail office.

They have four children – Alison, Pauline, Philip and Andrew – and 12 grandchildren.

Mrs Knowles, 70, said: “I wasn’t too keen at first but Peter grew on me and we hit it off with each other.”

The former shop assistant added: “I often think ‘Gosh, where have those 50 years gone? They seem to have flown past.”

Mr Knowles, who held the position of Royal Mail junior inspector before retiring, said: “We have had our ups and downs over the years, but I think all couples do.

“I suppose it is our common sense that has got us through. He added: One of us will always come round to the other’s way of thinking.”

The pair are celebrating today with a family meal.