RETIRED Peggy and Stanley Francis have notched up more than 100 holidays in Weymouth.

The Birmingham couple have been visiting the resort for more than 50 years after falling in love with the seaside spot on a chance day trip.

Their first outing to Weymouth was during a holiday in Minehead, Somerset, and the couple instantly preferred the Dorset coastal town.

Mrs Francis said: "We absolutely love Weymouth. I was 22 when I first came down.

"We were in Minehead and the weather was bad so we had a ride to Weymouth for the day.

"We thought it was lovely and have been coming here two or three times a year ever since. We've made day trips here too."

At first they stayed in a caravan and then at Littlesea Holiday Park with their two daughters but have opted for hotel breaks in the last few years.

And their enthusiasm for the resort has rubbed off on their families, with their grandchildren becoming a third generation of Weymouth devotees.

The couple's daughter Anne Vaughan, also from Birming-ham, said: "We used to come here as children and brought our kids because we like it so much.

"Now my children are bringing their boyfriends and girlfriends down to show them Weymouth."

Over the last three days, Mrs Francis has been enjoying a special visit to the town to celebrate her 75th birthday this week with her husband, daughter Anne and son-in-law Noel.

She is marking the occasion with one of her favourite treats - a fish and chip dinner on the Esplanade, looking out to sea.

Mrs Francis, who used to be a machine operator, said: "We tend to walk along the seafront and may-be have a ride out to Portland."

She added: "We would love to move down here but we would have to win the pools first."