WHEN Chris Harvey and Norma Ferriara tie the knot in July it really will be proof of love against the odds.

Since the couple met, nearly three years ago, they have endured attacks on their home and daily verbal abuse.

Norma has had a breakdown and even attempted suicide.

If the age gap between pregnant actress Caroline Quentin, 38, and her new partner Sam Farmer, the 27-year-old father of her child, has raised a few eyebrows just spare a thought for Chris and Norma.

For the couple, who fell in love just two days after meeting, have an age gap of more than 30 years.

The pair, of Swanborough Place, Whitehawk, met in the summer of 1997 and by the end of that year Norma, 53, had left her home and husband in Cheshire to be with Chris, who was then barely 19-years-old.

Chris, a former Patcham High School pupil, said: "I was on holiday with my parents at Butlin's in Pwhelli, Wales, and Norma was there alone to get some time away from her husband.

"I saw her outside a fish and chip shop adjusting her shoe. It took a lot of bottle to go up to her but I'd had a lot to drink.

"I knew she was older but I thought she was in her thirties. I offered her a piggy back because her feet were aching."

Norma, who has a three-year-old grandson and a daughter the same age as Chris, agreed to let him go back to her chalet where he stayed for the rest of the week.

She said: "He had a skinhead at the time and when he came up to me I thought he was going to mug me, but he turned out to be a real gentleman.

"I thought, 'why not? go for it woman'. I felt like Shirley Valentine. I felt flattered by the attentions of a younger man.

"I'd had so much hassle in my past, I just wanted to enjoy myself, I never thought I'd end up with him."

When they returned to their homes, hundreds of miles apart, Chris spent four hours a day, every day, for three weeks phoning Norma.

Chris, who had a couple of girlfriends his own age before Norma, said: "It's everything about Norma, she looks good, she sounds good.

"I didn't care about the age gap, I didn't plan to fall in love with her. Every young bloke wants to go out with an older woman."

Three weeks after they met the pair went away to a holiday camp, in Wales, where Chris popped the question in front of 1,000 people.

As Norma said "yes" the moment was photographed. She moved down to Brighton straight away and the picture, blown up to poster size, is now treasured at their home.

But the course of true love has not been easy.

Tailor Norma, said: "I've been to hell and back. No one will speak to us, our car has had glue poured on it, the flat has been broken into and trashed, I get called names in the street.

"My whole family has rejected me, even my own brother, just because Chris and I are in love."

Chris, himself, has also put Norma through the mill. Last summer he left her for her cousin, Diane, also in her fifties, after meeting her at Norma's father's funeral. He also had an affair with another of Norma's cousins, Shirley, 36.

The first Norma knew of her fiance's infidelity was when a reporter from a national newspaper turned up at her home with photographs.

She said: "I came home from work one day to find a note from Chris saying he'd left for a break but he still loved me.

"I had no idea where he'd gone until this reporter turned up. Chris wanted to sell his story to make some money.

"I was absolutely devastated. I couldn't eat or drink, and went from a size 20 to a 14."

Norma wanted to end her own life and took a cocktail of tablets but called Chris at her cousin's house first and he telephoned for an ambulance.

She was alone for ten months until Chris decided he wanted to come back. During their time apart, and before Norma knew about his fling with Diane, Norma agreed for Chris and her cousin to stay with her in Brighton.

Without her knowing, Diane and Chris were having a romance right under her nose.

Chris also used to beg Norma for money to pay for trips to return to her, but would then spend it on cigarettes and alcohol.

Norma said: "Everyone says I'm stupid for taking him back, my workmates, neighbours, family.

"But no one can understand that I'm still in love with him."

Even now Chris does not appear sorry or guilty for hurting Norma so much. He said: "Everyone makes mistakes. At the time I almost hated Norma, but then I couldn't stop thinking about her and didn't know who or what I wanted."

She said: "My attitude now is, what will be, will be. I've been through too much. If he does it again, there's nothing I can do about it, but I will not be taking him back."

Chris admits he was kept by Norma, who works up to six days a week, before he started his part-time job yesterday at an Indian restaurant in Hove.

He didn't even help around the home. Norma said: "I used to get in from work and he'd be sitting around with all his mates, drinking and smoking, while there was a pile of washing up to be done."

The pair stress theirs is not like a mother/son relationship.

Despite the age gap the couple have an active social and sex life. Norma, a professional singer for 25 years, loves clubbing.

They also enjoy the cinema, sitting on the beach, eating out, seeing shows and karaoke machines.

Now Chris is writing a book about his life with Norma and the pair want to release a record of them singing their favourite karaoke song "I Got You Babe" for charity.

They are also considering having a surrogate baby.

Their wedding, on July 17, is at the Royal Pavilion, where Norma will wear a traditional white dress.

Although none of their family is attending, a television crew will be.

And the pair are determined to prove their critics wrong and make a go of their marriage.

Chris says: "I'll be pushing her round in her wheelchair when she's 99."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.