An elderly couple who spent 40 years divorced have fallen back in love and are set to remarry.

Charlie and Audrey Hailes, 88 and 83, will tie the knot on Wednesday (October 10) at The Manor Gatehouse in Dartford in front of their six children.

The couple, who spent most of their lives in Green Street Green before recently moving to Wilmington, divorced in 1978 after Charlie “made a mistake”.

One of their sons, Ian, 47, told News Shopper: "Mum was quite unforgiving at the time and the family broke up.

"I was seven and myself and my youngest sister stayed with my dad. My mum moved to Peterborough with my brother."

The other siblings were in their late teens and moved away on their own.

Ian said it had a huge impact on the children who are now delighted their parents are finally back together.

Charlie and Audrey first met at a dance hall in Peckham Rye in 1955 before raising their family.

Both remarried with new partners after the divorce but according to Ian, they were never truly happy during their four decades apart.

The pair rekindled their love last year when Audrey’s husband died meaning she was living alone.

"We said to dad, 'you’re not happy so why not live with mum,'" Ian said. "And that’s when it happened. They have seen sense.

"We didn’t for one minute think they would remarry," Ian laughed.

He added that it was a bittersweet feeling because he wished his parents sorted their problems out 40 years ago so they had more time together.

Ian said he was "very excited" to be Charlie's best man and is currently organising his dad's shirt.

Unfortunately, Audrey broke her hip two weeks ago so the reception is being rescheduled to allow her to dance with her new husband.