<p>Meet the couple with a 40 year age gap who have defied all the odds to celebrate their 17th wedding anniversary. </p><p>Edna Martin, 87, and Simon Martin, 47, met when she was 69 and he was 31, at a concert and say it was 'love at first sight'. </p><p>The besotted duo from Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, still don't care what strangers think.</p><p>They celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary by dining at a local fish and chips restaurant, and exchanged romantic gifts.</p><p>They said they owe their successful marriage to treating each other with affection and going out on adventures every day. </p><p>The pair say they have lasted so long together they no longer get strange looks and comments in their local community, and say everyone accepts their relationship.</p><p>Simon said: “We still go out together and walk hand-in-hand on our wheelers because we both struggle with out mobility.</p><p>“We have actually inspired other people in age-gap relationships to take the next step and get married. </p><p>“Our friends and acquaintances have always been happy for us but of course we just ignore any weird looks and comments.</p><p>“Love is love and everyone should ignore what anyone else says.</p><p>“Age is a state of mind, if you feel old, you are old."</p><p>The grandmother-of-four bought Simon a torque bracelet and Simon got Edna some </p><p>earrings with crystals. </p><p>Edna, a retired engineer, said: “We are still very much in love and keep our relationship alive through our little adventures.” </p><p>The age-gap lovers fell in love at first sight at a concert 18 years ago and haven’t been able to keep their hands off each other ever since. </p><p>Edna’s son is 57 and her grandchildren are older than Simon but nobody takes any notice. </p><p>Simon is a retired organist but continues to woo Edna with his musical prowess. </p><p>Before moving in together, Simon who had never had a girlfriend before, lived in Birmingham, the West Midlands.</p><p>They had to be long-distance lovers but couldn't bare to be apart so moved in together after a few weeks later. </p><p>Simon's family took some time to adjust to the age gap but as soon as they saw how happy their son was, they didn't care, he said.</p><p>Edna's family have always been supportive and watched the couple wed on July 8, 2005. </p><p>Edna said: "My daughter made our wedding cake and my son gave me away.&nbsp;</p><p>"He said at the wedding reception: 'I've been wanting to give my mother away all my life and this is the day for it.'&nbsp;</p><p>"My son is 57. My grandchildren are more the age that Simon is, but nobody takes any notice.</p><p>"The people where we live are very warm and friendly - they're not very judgmental, not that it's anyone's business."</p><p>The pair never shy away from public displays of affection and find it hard to keep their hands off each other.</p><p>Edna said: "When you love each other as much as Simon and I, it's reasonably impossible to keep your hands off each other - let alone other bits of your anatomy.&nbsp;</p><p>"We often have a little kiss in the supermarket queue or pinch each other's bums.</p><p>Simon added: "We're very lucky we still enjoy a marvellous physical relationship.&nbsp;</p><p>"It's really wonderful that we can express our love publicly - not for other people, but for ourselves.&nbsp;</p><p>"It's very rare to see a couple of any age giving each other a loving peck or showing their affection."&nbsp;</p>