Instead of presents, they asked friends and family to give donations to cancer research.

And they raised £330 for Clatterbridge Hospital, where Irene was treated for breast cancer three years ago.

"We can't thank everyone enough. At our time of life we don't want ornaments and presents," said 72-year-old Wallace.

The couple met as schoolchildren when Irene was 11 and Wallace was 13.

"We had our first date at the Plaza Cinema," said Irene. "Then we used to hang around the fair. It was the only thing to do in those days."

It was six years later that Wallace proposed to Irene, as she lay in hospital recovering from an appendix operation just as he was about to go off to war.

He left the army in 1948 and married Irene at Witton Church later the same year.

The couple have lived in and around Northwich for a great number of years and currently live on Chester Road in Castle.

They have one daughter, Sheila and three granddaughters, Victoria, Charlotte and Emily.

Both have worked for ICI. Wallace worked in the garages for 36 years and Irene in the catering department.

Wallace has an active interest in darts, playing for many pub teams, as well as being a keen fisherman. Irene loves knitting and they both enjoy an occasional game of bingo.

They marked their anniversary with a party at the Castle Private Club on David Street - with over 100 guests helping to celebrate their big day.

Both Irene and Wallace agree that the secret to a happy and healthy marriage is simple: "Give and take - and a lot of trust," they said.

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