A Worcester couple who have never left each other's side have celebrated 60 years of marital bliss.

Andy and Bridie Cawley celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary last month, seeing in the milestone with friends and family at The Winning Post pub.

It was a case of friendship blossoming into love for the pair after they met in 1952 while attending mass at St George's Church.

They had both moved from Western Ireland to find work the year before, and upon meeting at the Worcester church they instantly got on.

As fate would have it, the pair met again at a friend's party a few weeks later. From there their courtship began.

After writing to Bridie's father to ask of his permission, she and Andy were married on August 20, in 1955.

The pair received a telegram from the Queen herself for their lasting marriage.

Bridie, 82, of Crown Street, who worked as a nut sorter at the Cadbury's depot formerly in Blackpole, said love grew on the pair.

She said: "We were friends straight away, and from there it blossomed into romance and love grew on us.

"Since then we've never left each other's side."

Andy, 87, worked at Garrington's in Bromsgrove, as a press operator, for 30 years.

Their first marital home was in City Walls Road.

Bridie says the secret to a lasting and loving marriage is respecting each other's wishes.

She said: "Give and take and respecting each other's wishes is the key to marriage success, and looking after each other no matter what happens."

Throughout their time together they have travelled all over Europe, and other parts of the world.