Brian and Beryl celebrate sixty years of marriage

The couple, of Stanley, met in Wakefield more than 60 years ago after Mr Hughes had returned from Germany on National service.

Mrs Hughes, 79, said: “I was with him for three or four months and then he had to go to Kenya for six months. We kept in touch.”

After Mr Hughes returned the Stanley couple were married at Ferry Lane Methodist Church on August 4, 1956, then honeymooned in Blackpool.

Mrs Hughes, 79, of Wordsworth Grove, said: “We moved in with my parents for four or five months and then got a house on Rooks Nest Road.”

The couple had four sons, Ian, 58, Gary, 57, Stephen, 46, and Graham, who died aged 14 months and would have been 55. They now have six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Mr Hughes, 82, worked at Stanley Council for 30 years as a wagon driver before being employed by Wakefield Council.

Mrs Hughes’s jobs included working at Wakefield Market and 11 years at Wakefield Girl’s High School in the kitchens.

Mr Hughes has enjoyed gardening and walking over the years and Mrs Hughes embroidery and puzzles.

They will celebrate their milestone with a family barbecue when Mrs Hughes turns 80 in two weeks’ time.

When asked the secret to a happy marriage, Mrs Hughes said: “Just love.”