A FLIXTON couple will celebrate their platinum wedding anniversary this month after enjoying 70 years of wedded bliss.

James, 92, and Georgina Flanagan, 90, of Ambleside Road have lived in Flixton for over 60 years while raising a family of seven children.

The couple met during WWII, when James served in the Army and Georgina served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service.

James chalked their successful marriage up to genetics, saying: “It is a bit unusual, but both families have good genes, long living.”

Georgina was working in a munitions factory when a twist of fate introduced her to James.

Their eldest daughter, Marian, explained that: “Dad had a shell dropped on his hand, it split his finger open.

“Mum took him down to the first aid centre, and that’s how they got to know each other.”

After moving to Manchester, James became a Lab Technician for Shell Chemicals in Carrington, and later Manchester University, whilst Georgina worked as a hair-dresser.

Their youngest daughter, Julie, said that the couple were still active: “Dad still goes up to the Alker Ex-Serviceman’s Club for a beer and likes to watch the football up there with his mates.

“Mum likes the bingo, and she is a big part of the church community at St Monica’s in Flixton which is where we all went to school.”

The couple’s eldest child Martin was followed by Marian, Helen, Anthony, Patricia, Christopher, and the youngest Julie.

They also have thirteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.