A PENARTH couple are set to celebrate 60 years of wedded bliss.

Dennis and Maureen Blackmore tied the knot at St Augustine’s Church in Penarth on the last Saturday before Christmas on December 18, 1954.

Dennis, who was in the Royal Navy at the time, had only returned home from the Persian Gulf on the Thursday beforehand.

“When he turned up for the wedding he was still in his uniform as he had been to the ex-servicemen’s club beforehand”, said Maureen.

“I’d organised the wedding with the help of his family as he was away at the time.”

She added that on her big day she had three bridesmaids and was given away by her uncle.

After the wedding the reception was held at the Co-Operative Hall on Glebe Street.

Dennis, 83, and Maureen, 82, who now live in Dinas Powys, said the secret to a happy marriage was “give and take” and listening to what each other had to said.

Maureen added: “Our happiest moments have been with our daughters and grandchildren.”

The couple plan to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary with close family at home.