Two pensioners with learning difficulties have tied the knot – 60 years after they first met at school.

Carol and Ivor Hill first met as 11-year olds at school in North Petherton, Somerset – but they hadn’t seen each other since the 1960s.

By chance, Carol’s sister, Rachel Bunce, works as a carer – and welcomed Ivor, 70, into her home as part of a Shared Lives scheme that sees adults with additional needs live alongside families who support them.

But within seconds of walking into Carol’s home, Ivor instantly spotted a photo of Carol hanging on the wall - and recognised her immediately.

The pair were reunited and romance blossomed, and have now tied the knot – to the delight of their family.

Rachel, 64, said: “Carol and Ivor’s relationship is absolutely joyous.

“As her sister, I didn’t ever think I’d see her happily married, even though she is a very independent woman, so I’m thrilled she finally has her fairytale ending.

“They really are such a perfect couple.

“Carol is a very bubbly, outgoing person, she loves to organise things, but there are things she isn’t able to do, like read and write or tell the time.

“Ivor is very good at those things, and he has an incredible memory, but he can be very shy, and they bring out the best in each other.”

“We are all absolutely thrilled for them.”

Carol, who has learning difficulties caused by a lack of oxygen at birth, was two years Ivor’s senior when they both attended a special needs school near their homes.

But they hadn’t seen each other since they left school, when Carol got a job at a jam factory, and moved into a flat near her family to live independently, and Ivor living with his parents.

But in 2019, when his father passed away, Ivor was helped to find a place to live by Shared Lives and Rachel and her husband Fran were suggested as a good fit to help support him.

Within seconds of meeting Rachel, Ivor had spotted Carol’s photo.

Rachel said: “It was really quite unbelievable – there were hundreds of photos up in our hallway, and he picked her out straight away, even though the picture was of her in her 50s, not as a child.

“We immediately suggested Carol come round for tea!

“Ivor would always offer to walk Carol back to the bus stop.”

When Covid struck, Carol came to live with Rachel temporarily – and romance blossomed.

Rachel said: “One day, Carol was on a zoom call with her church group, and the vicar asked her who the young man was who was sitting beside her. ‘He’s my boyfriend!’ she said.

“She surprised us all, but we were so pleased for them.”

In 2023, Ivor popped the question with a beautiful sapphire engagement ring, after he and Carol told family members they’d like to get married.

The pair planned every detail of their big day themselves, choosing to marry in a beautiful open-air ceremony at Carole’s childhood home, a farm still owned by her brother.

Since the wedding, Carol and Ivor have moved into the same room together, and Rachel has converted one bedroom into a sitting room for the couple to have their own space.

They also produce and sell artworks together – and have raised more than £2000 for charity selling prints of their pictures through their Instagram page, The Blue House Makes.

Ivor said: “I recognised Carol straight away. Even though she was older in the picture than I remember her, I hadn’t forgotten her.

“She’s a very beautiful woman.”

Carol said: “Ivor is a good man, he looks after me and I like that.

“He helps dry my hair and even paints my nails for me sometimes. He is a gentleman.

“We make a good team, we help each other out.

“Our wedding day was really special. Ivor looked very handsome in his suit.”

Although the pair tied the knot last September, they were forced to cancel their honeymoon as Carol had to go into hospital for hip surgery.

But the pair are now looking forward to setting off on a cruise in the coming weeks.

Shared Lives Service South West CEO Dominic Spayne said: “It’s wonderful to see Carol and Ivor so happy, we are thrilled for them.

“Their story is a testament to work that is carried out in Shared Lives Households, we promote independence and people living their fullest lives, and this is a perfect example.”