IT WAS diamond celebration for a Wyre Forest couple who came together from Kidderminster and Stourport to reach 60 years of wedded bliss.

Ken and Elsie Fairbrother crossed eyes while on a bus in the town before meeting properly at a dance being held at the Kidderminster's old Castle Baths.

Mrs Fairbrother, who was 16 at the time, said: "I saw him first when I was with a friend on the bus. Then we met each other at the dances. I think most of the youngsters met at the dances in those days."

It was whirlwind romance and the couple then got married on July 23 1955 in Areley Kings when Mrs Fairbrother was 18 and Mr Fairbrother was 24.

They then had a reception at the Brinton Arms and went to Morecambe in the Lake District for their honeymoon.

Two years after the big day, their first child Jane was born. A few years later, they welcomed their son Vaughn to the world.

Having two children meant Mrs Fairbrother had to give up work, but Mr Fairbrother worked continued as a carpet tradesman for the rest of his working life.

The family grew as their children got older and got married themselves and they now have four grandchildren - Sarah, Craig, David, and Ian.

When asked what the secret to a long and happy marriage was, Mrs Fairbrother said: I think everybody has their arguments and you just have to sort it out between ourselves."

But Mr Fairbrother had a different look on things.

He said: "The secret is always say yes.

"Like even if you eat a meal she cooked and you didn't like it, you still have to say that it was nice. It keeps the peace."

Mr ad Mrs Fairbrother celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Thursday (July 23) at The Running Horse, in Kidderminster, with a luncheon with their close family and friends.