THEY say good things come to those who wait, but for one Barnton woman that delay almost saw her miss out on her wedding day.

Helen and George Maguire, of Astbury Drive, celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary tomorrow, Thursday, but when George was two hours late for the ceremony, his fiance resorted to asking the minister if he was married.

George, 85, said: "Helen wasn't very happy as you can imagine, but I was en route from Northern Ireland as I'd been given a week's leave from the Army - I was having a fantastic time riding the last part of the journey on my motorbike."

The pair wed in Elgin, Murrayshire, where Helen, 83, hails from, and until two years ago they had driven the 433-mile journey back there every September to celebrate their anniversary.

George said: "We didn't mind though as we love the place and have many special memories of our time spent there."

The couple moved to Barnton in 1958, where Helen became the first warden in the village making home visits to the elderly, while George worked as a long distance lorry driver for Harris Road Services in Lostock Gralam.

Their five children all live nearby and youngest daughter Carol has arranged a party at the couple's home this Sunday.

Helen said: "We've made so many friends here and, while at first we said we'd prefer a quiet celebration, we're actually looking forward to seeing everyone."