A BLIND date marked the start of 50 golden years together for anniversary couple Jean and Harry Bradshaw.

The happy couple, who lived in Preston for 25 years before moving to Blackburn, celebrated the milestone on Saturday, June 30.

There was a instant attraction when Jean's friend set up the couple's first meeting in Preston and they were married a year later at St Mary Magdelene's Church, in the town.

Jean, a retired cook, said: "Every year has been a golden one for us. We have been very happy. There is no such thing as a perfect person, the secret is to be philosophical and accept this. You have to take the good times with the bad. Harry is very generous and I wouldn't change a thing."

Harry is a former electrical engineer and purchasing officer. They have a daughter Pauline and three grandchildren Ross, Alex and Catherine who all live in New Zealand.

To celebrate their long marriage the couple have planned a trip to the up-market Balmoral Hotel in Blackpool where they will sleep on a four poster bed before heading off to Cardiff in Wales for a holiday.

Jean added: "We love travelling and have been all over the world."