A RIBBLE Valley couple celebrated their diamond anniversary in the same venue where they had their wedding party.

Bert and Olive Holdsworth, both 81, said their successful marriage was down to ‘lots of hard work’.

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The pair, who live in Mellor, were joined in Samlesbury Hall with Mr Holdsworth’s brother and best man, Walt Holdsworth, and bridesmaid Shelia Kelsall, Mrs Holdsworth’s sister-in-law, to celebrate the occasion.

Mr Holdsworth, a former Darwen coal pit miner, married the former classroom assistant at Mellor’s St Mary’s Primary School at St Leonard’s Church in Balderstone in 1956.

The pair ran a farm in Darwen for several years before moving to Balderstone to bring up their four children – Ian, 59, Gail, 57, Russel, 56, and Karen, 51.

The couple were surprised on their anniversary day with a chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce Wraith and enjoyed afternoon tea at Samlesbury Hall.

The Queen also congratulated the couple, who tied the knot on June 6, on their achievement by sending a royal card.

Denise Holdsworth, the pair’s daughter-in-law, said diamond anniversaries did not come round often.

She said: “I’m so happy Bert and Olive have reached the big 60.

“They have so much experience and amazing memories together, it must be a wonderful feeling for them.

“Both come from farming families and had lots in common. They were ‘meant to be’.

“They met each other when they were 21 at a dance and the rest is history.

“Lots of love and lots of hard work is definitely the key to a long and successful marriage; they both told me it’s the secret.”

A second party is to be held at Denise’s home in Mellor, when their grandson, Dean, 25, will be returning from Kenya on army leave.

Cllr Joyce Holgate, mayor of Ribble Valley, said: “It is an amazing feat for anyone to reach 60 years of marriage.

“I would like to congratulate Bert and Olive on this wonderful occasion and I wish them luck for the many more years to come.”