THESE diamond darlings are celebrating 60 years of marriage.

Joseph and Betty Downall, of Stringer Crescent, Latchford, tied the knot 60 years ago today, Thursday, at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Cefn Mawr.

And the couple were given an early anniversary present from the staff at The Co-operative store on Kingsway South who surprised the couple with a hamper of goodies after they came in to order an anniversary cake.

Joseph said: “We would like to thank the staff for their surprise. When we said we would pop in to pick up the cake they told us to bring a trolley along and they handed over the cake and hamper.”

Joanne Lewis, from the store, added: “They have been coming in to the store for years and they are so friendly and we see them most days.

“The staff decided to get together to get them the surprise for their anniversary.”

The couple, both aged 83, first met when Betty was in the Navvies and Joseph was serving in the Army while in Shropshire and she asked him to come to her home.

Love blossomed between the pair, who later moved to Warrington after they married.

They had a son Derek and a grandson who they will be celebrating with today.