GOLDEN couple Dennis and Emma Roberts (pictured) celebrated their golden wedding with a special meal for all their family.

The couple, of Belthorn Road, Belthorn, married in 1950 at St Thomas' Church, Blackburn.

Dennis, from Rotherham in Yorkshire, and Emma, from Blackburn, were introduced by a friend and married after a courtship of two years.

Before the wedding Dennis worked at the steelworks in Rotherham, and after swapping Yorkshire for Lancashire he worked at Mullards in Blackburn.

Emma concentrated on bringing up their three children, Graham, Linda and Steven, but also worked - latterly on a book stall at Blackburn market. They initially lived in Darwen but moved to their present home 32 years ago.

Dennis, now 73, and Emma, 74, have seven grandchildren.

They both like gardening, and Dennis plays the organ while Emma enjoys doing crossword puzzles.

Emma said the years had passed quickly, particularly since they retired, and put the success of their marriage down to "tolerance and give and take".

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.