A couple who have been coming to the TT for 62 years between them, have married on the island.

Martin Sentance and Debs Alderson, both from Leicestershire, first met at the Ascot Hotel in Empire Terrace, Douglas, 15 years ago.

And each year since then, they have returned to the same hotel, describing hotel staff and fellow visitors there as their ’TT family’.

Such is the couple’s love of the hotel that they married there last week and then also held their reception there afterwards.

Martin, who is 63 and a garage owner, was first attracted to the TT when he was 15 after he and his friend were handed a leaflet by a man who ran a TT supporters’ club at Mallory Park racing circuit in Kirkby Mallory in Leicestershire.

Martin said: ’That leaflet, combined with Murray Walker’s commentary on the radio, made it a mission for us to visit the Isle of Man for the TT, and the rest is history.’

Debs, who is 52, has been coming to the TT for 15 years. It was her late husband Ray who introduced her to the island and they marshalled together at Sarah’s Cottage, Glen Helen.

Debs said: ’We considered other great island venues such as Castle Rushen and Peel Castle but since we met at the Ascot, have spent a total of 45 stays at the hotel between us, and all our close TT friends work or stay at the hotel, we thought: "where else could be better to get married?"’

The couple travelled to the island on Martin’s Honda 1981 CBX.

Current clerk of the course, Gary Thompson was on the guest list for the wedding as was Roy Hanks, a former TT sidecar winner in 1997.

Gary read a special poem at the wedding, written by the bride, about the couple’s TT experiences over the years.

Martin was full of praise for Gary saying that he is the best operator of the TT that he has seen.

Martin said: ’The TT has changed considerably over the years but in my opinion the event is more professionally run than it has ever been.’

The couple thanked Adele Priest, who was their wedding photographer.