ALWAYS being there for each other has seen a couple reach their diamond wedding anniversary.

Hilda and Roy Hilton met in dance hall in Leigh and got married at Bedford St Thomas's Church on February 5, 1955, after Roy had finished his National Service.

He served in the Royal Air Force before taking a job at the de Havilland factory in Lostock working on various machines while Hilda, aged 88, worked as a sewing machinist.

Roy, who also celebrated his 85th birthday on the same day as their anniversary, said: "We met at the dance hall in Leigh where all the young'uns like us would go every Saturday night and there would be a band on."

The couple, who live on Newlands Road in Leigh, have one son, Ian, two grandchildren, Nicola and Cheryl and four great grandchildren and were thrilled to receive a surprise card from the Queen congratulating them on the milestone.

When asked the secret to a long marriage, Hilda said: "It is just tolerating each other and always being there for one and other."

Their granddaughter Nicola, said:"I just want to say they are a remarkable couple and have some great stories about the war and the work they carried out most of their lives."