Happy ending Reads like a fairytale

A reunited couple connected by a bizarre coincidence have finally tied the knot in Cannock – 28 years after they first dated as teenage sweethearts.

When Wendy Read, now aged 43, first met her boyfriend Stuart as a teenager in Pelsall, she was surprised to discover they shared the same surname. "My mum didn't believe Stuart back when we were first together years ago," Wendy said. "He had to show her his driving licence when he came to the house to prove it to her."

Even stranger, the couple later found they both had different versions of the same middle name.

"I'm Alexandra and he's Alexander," said Mrs Read.

"I just happened to ask Stuart one day if he had a middle name – I thought he was having me on when he said it was Alexander.

"It's really weird. It is a bit like we were meant to be.

Despite their kooky connection the couple split when Stuart, now 45, joined the Army.

The pair both went on to marry and have children with their new partners, but the unions did not last.

And four years ago, after finding each other on the Friends Reunited website, Wendy and Stuart got back together.

"It had been more than 20 years since we'd seen each other, but we ended up back together again," said Wendy.

The blushing bride said she was thrilled to have been reunited with her first love.

The happy couple, who now live in Aldridge, wed in glorious sunshine on Saturday at Cannock Register Office in Victoria Street.