VISITS to a barber's shop provided a short cut to happiness for James Baldwin.

It was while he was getting his hair trimmed that James first met his future wife, Doris, whose father ran the shop.

After courting for two years, the couple were married at Sacred Heart Church in Wigan, and tomorrow, Saturday, they will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary.

James and Doris, who are both 75, have lived in Warrington since they were married.

They used to live in Fisher Avenue, Orford, but their home is now in Montrose Close, Cinnamon Brow.

The couple both served their country during the war, James in the RAF and Doris in the Land Army.

After the war, James worked as a mechanical engineer, first at Risley and then at Rylands, where he worked for nearly 24 years before retiring.

Nowadays, James and Doris say they like nothing more than looking after their garden, watching rugby league on TV and spending time with their family.

They have two sons and four grandchildren, and they are planning a family celebration on their anniversary.

According to Doris, the secret of a strong and happy marriage is "pulling together."

She said: "We've had our ups and downs like most couples, but we've always done things together."

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