Friends poured into their home on Frith Avenue, Delamere, for an open house celebration last Monday.

Cyril said: "It was lovely - they were coming from first thing in the morning until 12 at night.

"We both feel so proud that we have come this far - but we had such a big celebration for our 50th wedding anniversary, we couldn't afford this one!"

The love struck couple met as youngsters when Ellen, now 82, moved from Runcorn to Norley where Cyril lived.

"We used to get together by the little chapel and we still do," said Cyril, 85.

"And we used to play fox and hounds in the forest, living right on the edge of it.

"After about four years of courting I asked her to marry me.

"We had a small wedding and then moved to Blakemere Lane where we lived until about two years ago.

"We slipped off from the wedding to our first home - to find a big L sign on the door and some sticks and coal to make a fire.

"There was no central heating in those days.

"Things have changed quite a bit - I remember when a pint of beer was five pence!"

Golf fanatic Cyril worked as groundsman at Delamere Golf Course for 31 years and as greenkeeper at Helsby for another 15. Ellen worked at the children's home on Blakemere Lane.

"We've never been blessed with children ourselves," added Cyril.

"But we've done alright!

"It's all about working with each other - everyone has their tiny tiffs.

"Now we enjoy the over 60s club in Norley and I do a lot of tapestries for people and Ellen enjoys the crossword. We are very happy."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.