IT is almost 70 years since Harry Fletcher first set eyes on his wife Hilda, but he says he hasn't let her out of his sight since.

And now Harry, 86, and Hilda, 83, are celebrating 60 years of marriage on their Diamond Wedding Anniversary today.

Harry, a former aircraft fitter, said: "The first time I saw Hilda was very romantic. I was standing on the front step of my granny's house in Blackburn and she came out of the Sunday School with some of her friends.

"She passed me and, bingo!, that was it.

"I waited there each week for her after that but she wasn't there. I've since found out that she'd gone on holiday but I eventually found her at the other side of town where I had a friend. I haven't let her out of my sight since."

The couple courted for nine years, saving up to be married at the now demolished St Philip's Church, Blackburn, in 1940.

They have two children, a son and a daughter, four grandchildren and a great grandchild.

Harry went on: "It took us nine years because at that time you were lucky to have a job, though I had one and I had a suit too."

The couple, who enjoyed walking together in their youth, are marking their anniversary with a family party at their home in Hamer Avenue, Loveclough.

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