ROMANCE is flourishing for a Black Country couple as they embark on married life in their twilight years – after 32 years of courtship.

Doris Shaw, aged 89, from Halesowen, finally tied the knot with her long-standing partner Raymond Hill, from Stourbridge, after he recovered from cancer.

Raymond, aged 71, finally popped the question after being diagnosed last year with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Doris’s daughter Sue Lea-Berwick, who made the wedding cake, said: “He was very ill and asked if he pulled through would she marry him and she said yes.”

He did survive, and after being given the all clear, the happy couple married at the Thomas Robinson Building, Cemetery Road, previously called the Lye and Wollescote Chapel, on Friday August 19

Doris, who formerly lived at her daughter’s home in Dog Kennel Lane, where they held a small reception for family and close friends, was given away by her 32-year-old grandson Matthew Johnson.

Her granddaughter Kate Johnson-Farr was her witness and provided the floral decorations.

Sue said: “It was an amazing day and mum looked absolutely marvellous for her age. It was quite an emotional day.”

The couple, who were both divorced many years ago, are now living together at Raymond’s home in Ridge Grove.