A COUPLE who met as young police officers in 1972 have celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary.

Lyn and Phil Horn were serving with Hampshire Police and met when Lyn was posted to North Walls Police Station, Winchester. 

They got engaged after three months and were married at St John’s Catholic Cathedral in Portsmouth on May 26, 1973.

After they married, Phil was posted to Southampton Central because as a married couple, they weren’t allowed to serve at the same station.

They were mostly on different rest days and duties and the Three Degrees song When Will I See You Again became their signature tune.

Lyn left the force to have children in 1975, with maternity leave not heard of in those days.

They had four children, the first of which were twins Richard and Janet, followed by Sarah and then Gillian.

Their family grew to include seven grandchildren (including another set of twins, again boy and girl) and two great grandchildren. 

Phil joined the traffic team in Southampton in 1975, was promoted to Sergeant on traffic at Portsmouth covering the South Eastern area in 1979 and posted to the Isle of Wight in 1990 on promotion to Inspector.

The family moved to the Island from Hayling Island.

He retired as the Island's Chief Inspector in October 2001.

They both enjoy spending time together with their family, walking and taking breaks in their motorhome.  

Phil maintained a keen interest in motorbiking. 

The couple said: “We are very blessed with a wonderful family and are very happy.”

Daughter Janet said: "They are the most amazing parents, have always been so supportive and have always been there for all of us.

"They are very much loved and we would all like to let them know just how special they are to all of us."