MEMORABLE milestones and a healthy sense of humour have studded golden couple Jimmy and Doris Jones's 50 years together.

The Leigh couple from Higher Folds married on St Patrick's Day in 1951 and have enjoyed a high profile through half a century -- and are still laughing after all those years.

Last week was a particularly memorable one for the Joneses. They celebrated their birthdays and their eighth grandchild, Dylan, was born on the eve day of their golden wedding anniversary.

Jimmy was made an alderman last year after 25 years serving the community as a Leigh and Wigan borough councillor. And during those years representing Hope Carr and Bedford-Astley, Jimmy and Doris became the area's top VIPs, being mayor and mayoress in 1987/88.

The Joneses believe in doing things together. Jimmy, at 74, is two years older than Doris, but they share the same birth date on March 12 and went to the same school, Leigh St Peter's.

Doris, born in Gregson's Row in the Wigan Road area of Leigh, and an ex-Tunnicliffe's mill worker recalled: "We wanted to get married on our birthday but couldn't because it was on a Monday, so we married the following Saturday at Leigh Parish Church."

Jimmy, born in Twist Lane, and a former Leigh Grammar boy, was an apprentice at Jimmy Hilton's metal works before signing up for war.

He joked: "I was 17 when I joined up in 1944. I wanted to save the country -- Hitler soon gave up after I entered the fray. I went to India and they gave up there too. I must have frightened 'em." Jimmy also served in Egypt but in 1948 he returned to civvy street, went back to "Tin" Jimmy's but was made redundant in 1950 and became a miner. He worked on haulage, as a collier and a tunneller working at Bedford colliery in Leigh and Parkside at Newton where he became a deputy until he became redundant at the age of 58.

In his younger days Jimmy enjoyed sport playing amateur rugby for sides including Wigan Road Labour Club and embarking on a coaching course. He remembers honestly: "I was never any good, but I enjoyed it."

He also recalls how back in 1951 their wedding reception was held in The Crown in Hope Street (a funeral home now marks the spot).

"We had a real good do -- there was a barrel of beer at the top of the stairs and guests just went and poured their own."

The couple, who have sons Geoffrey and James, and celebrated their anniversary with a weekend in Llandudno.