JOHN and Noreen Mullen will be celebrating their golden wedding anniversary on golden sands.

The Blackburn couple first met at the New Empress Ballroom in 1950 and married a few months later.

John said it was love at first sight -- he saw Noreen and that was that.

And the pair will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in sunkissed Portugal just the way they like it -- on their own together.

Before they jetted off for their break they were given a special anniversary pampering day by their family friend, beauty salon owner Nicola Donnelly.

Nicola, who owns Nail Domination in Blackburn town centre, treated them to relaxing makeover in time for their holiday The couple have lived all their married lives in Blackburn, raising two sons, John and Stephen. Before their retirement John was a miner at Scaithcliff Colliery and Noreen worked at British Northrop loon makers.

Noreen (70) said "I would rather be with John than anybody else."