A FORMER landlady and landlord of a Houghton Green pub have something special to celebrate next week with their diamond wedding anniversary.

Reuben and Hilda Higham, of Aviemore Drive, ran The Plough, on Mill Lane, for 15 years before retiring to Southport in 1970. But they could not stay away from Warrington and returned four years ago to their current home, to be near their children, Reuben and Helen.

Reuben, aged 85, and Hilda, aged 79, will celebrate 60 years of marriage on Tuesday, January 29, with a party for close family.

They were married in the small Yorkshire village of Riccal, where the couple met after Reuben was stationed there during the Second World War.

Hilda remembers the day well. She said: "It was a very, very cold day and being in Yorkshire we were covered in snow and I was wearing only a wedding dress."

As it was wartime the couple did not even have time for a honeymoon, and moved to Warrington soon after the wedding day.

They have two children and four grandchildren, but as yet no great-grandchildren, but they have not given up hope!

As for the secret for staying together for 60 years, it's simple according to Hilda, who said: "I would say love and a lot of understanding."

Cheers...it's a double diamond