A COUPLE who met while working at Cwmbran Shopping Centre over 30 years ago and have celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary were returning to the centre to spread some romance on Valentine’s Day.

Joanna and Mike Kirkham-Jones met when they were both employed by Woolworths based in the shopping centre.They caught sight of each other in 1982 while working on adjacent counters at the store.

After leaving their jobs, the couple reunited in 1987 when Joanna, now a building society cashier, made contact. After 18 months together, the couple married in Pontnewydd and have since had three daughters aged 14, 21 and 22.

To mark their relationship, the couple are returning to where they first met to write messages on heart-shaped cards displayed on The Love Stand.

The stand is exhibiting couples’ romantic messages to each other.

As well as this, there is a Valentine’s sofa today named The Cwtch Couch and a Red Balloon competition, giving customers the chance to win Thornton’s chocolates and flowers.

Mrs Kirkham-Jones said: “Cwmbran centre is such a special place to us as it’s where Mike and I first met and we’ve witnessed its wonderful redevelopment over the years. It’s incredible to think that we have been married for a quarter of a century and I’m looking forward to our next 25 years.”