IT only took one Weaverham man 12 months to convince his girlfriend that he was the one for her and 60 years later the couple are celebrating a marriage milestone.

Northwich Road residents, Derek Carter, 82, and wife Beryl, 80, will mark their Diamond wedding anniversary tomorrow, Thursday.

Derek worked as a cost clerk at Joseph Parks Steel Works but spent a spell in the Army, while Beryl worked at Woolworths – the place where the pair first met.

They were introduced by Derek’s brother-in-law, who was seeing Beryl’s sister at the time, after Derek returned from the Army in 1948.

A year on they were married on August 27, 1949 at St Mary’s Church in the village.

Beryl said: “He swept me off my feet.

“We’ve had a happy marriage and we’ve had our ups and downs but it has been very happy.”

Derek quipped: “Beryl never says sorry though, she’s always right, never wrong!”

The couple both enjoy heading down to the Owleywood Club to enjoy a swift drink with friends from the village as well as dancing and playing bowls for Norley and Owleywood.

They have two children, Jane, 57, and Judith, 51 and six grandchildren, Diane, Clair, Leanne, Emma, Sally and Jonathan, plus one great-grandchild, Libby, three.

Daughter Jane said: “They are perfect parents. They wind us up some times and we have to shout but they have always been there for us.”

Derek added: “Both Jane and Judith are up here every day and its good to have them so close. I love seeing all the grandchildren.”

To celebrate the anniversary the couple are having a meal on the day itself, which will be attended by close family.