A BLACKBURN couple who celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary at the weekend say that the secret to a long and happy marriage is to take the good with the bad.

Elizabeth and Walter Atherton, of Woodland Avenue, Cherry Tree met when they were bridesmaid and best man at a friend’s wedding in Blackburn.

They celebrated their anniversary with a family meal with their three children, three grandchildren and five great-granchildren on Saturday.

Elizabeth said: “I think the secret to a happy marriage is working at it.

“You have to take the good times with the bad and always keep talking to each other about problems.”