Wedding plans no longer up in smoke

A pair of former smokers have money to burn on their dream wedding after saving the cash they would have spent on their 70-a-day habit.

Maggie Loftus, 49, and Malcolm Page, 55, have an extra 1,600 pounds for their big day after quitting.

They will stride down the aisle next month all the healthier for giving up a habit which saw them get through 25,000 cigarettes - and 5,000 pounds - a year.

As the country marks No Smoking Day, the couple put their success down to their love for each other.

Ms Loftus, who has been smoking since her family moved to Chesterfield in Derbyshire, 33 years ago, said: "We are happy and we want to stay alive. I'm so excited about the wedding."

She said that after she recently left her job, and money became tight, the couple realised they could not afford to marry unless they quit smoking and saved.

Their efforts mean they can afford to tie the knot next month at the Sandpiper Hotel in Chesterfield.

Ms Loftus said: "We decided we didn't want to get married in a register office because I've got a large family and we couldn't fit everyone in.

"That was one of the reasons we had to quit - so we could afford a bigger venue.

"The bottom line is if we start smoking again, there won't be a wedding because we can't afford it - and we deserve to have a nice day."

Copyright © Press Association 2010

News articles provided by the Press Association for PruHealth. Whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy of editorial content, PruHealth takes no responsibility for any errors or omissions. The views expressed in these articles are not necessarily those of PruHealth.