A DIAMOND couple are celebrating 60 years of married life together.

Peter and Eileen Fothergill said one of the keys to a long and successful marriage is to "have a laugh together."

A letter from the Queen congratulating them on the special occasion arrived ahead of their anniversary today.

Mrs Fothergill, aged 80, said: "Marriage goes so quickly. You learn to put up with each other. We do not agree on a lot of things but we have such a laugh.

"Our grandchildren are also a huge joy. We have travelled all over the country with them. We are so happy the lot of us.

"We have also been on our fair share of cruises, and seen lots of the world. We haven't been idle. We have been very lucky."

The couple first met while Peter was studying at Harper Green School and Eileen was at Farnworth Grammar School. They were introduced by mutual friend Eric Whitehead, who was later to become the best man at their wedding.

While courting, they enjoyed weekly trips to The Theatre Royal to listen to various bands and they also frequented The Hippodrome.

They were married on April 25, 1959. About 150 people attended their wedding at St James Church, in New Bury, Farnworth. The newlyweds then enjoyed a week-long honeymoon in London, where Peter had booked for them to see a West End show every night.

"We saw The Generation Game and then The Mousetrap, which had been going for about 12 months at the time", Mr Fothergill said.

"We saw Shirley Bassey, lots of well-known people", Mrs Fothergill added. "You could not afford to do that today."

The couple have lived in the same house in Silverdale Road, Farnworth, all their married life.

Mr Fothergill worked as an apprentice for the North West Electricity Board, now Electricity North West, for seven years before doing his national service. He was then employed by BAE Systems until retirement.

Aged 16, Mrs Fothergill went into the civil service, starting in the tax office and, following a few years out to be a full-time mum, she worked in the benefits agency until retiring at 60.

The couple have one daughter, Sheila, who is married to husband Paul, and two grandchildren Jonathon and Nicholas.

Mr Fothergill, aged 81, said: "We have had our ups and downs but we have always managed to get through it.

"We have been very lucky."

To celebrate their anniversary, the Fothergills have planned a family meal at Horwich-based Italian restaurant Il Toro.