DOUBLE celebrations are on the cards for a Blackburn couple as they are set to commemorate their 65th wedding anniversary just a day before the husband’s 90th birthday.

Ruth and William Jackson will celebrate their sapphire wedding anniversary on Thursday with William’s landmark birthday the next day.

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The couple, who have one daughter, Deborah, have shared the secrets to their happy marriage, and William believes there was something special between the couple.

He said: “We were always more than friends.

“I found in most cases if you do what you were told they give in a bit.

“We don’t agree on everything, but nobody does.”

The pair have lived in Blackburn their entire lives, previously living in the Leach Street and Windsor Road areas, and have lived at their current St Lawrence Avenue home for more than half a century.

Ruth, 87, paid tribute to the couple’s shared religious beliefs, reflecting on the happy years the pair have had.

She said: “We’ve enjoyed good times and always got on, more or less.

“We have never had a lot of arguments.”

Church has always played an important part in their relationship, with the pair meeting at Bethany Mission Hall in Grimshaw Park when Ruth was in her late teens.

While this was subsequently knocked down, the couple then attended Christ Church for 20 years, where Ruth was an organist.

Their daughter, Deborah spoke glowingly of their relationship, and believes they were ultimately destined to be together.

The 54-year-old said: “They were childhood sweethearts, they lived a few streets away, and were brought up in the same area of Blackburn.

“I think the key has been trust and honesty, they have always been loyal and faithful.

“And just telling each other they loved them often.”

The couple also ran a photography business when they were younger, while their career paths saw William fight in the army, and Ruth become an alteration hand repair for clothes.

The pair now have William’s 90th celebrations to look forward to, with a surprise event planned to mark the occasion.

Ruth said: “It’s a secret, we’re not doing much, just a small thing with family and friends.”

However William is just happy about the journey the pair have been on, and has no regrets.

“Looking back it has been a pretty great time.”