Jane and Chris, 30, from Bartington Hall Farm near Acton Bridge, both had the promotion of a lifetime when they became partners in separate accountancy firms last year.

"It's been very hard work," said Jane.

"After school - Cransley in Great Budworth and Sir John Deane's - I did a degree in accounting at Cardiff University where I met Chris.

"I then qualified with Coopers and Lybrand. The exams were very hard but we both made it first time. Just!"

Jane is the first female and youngest partner of Howard Worth and Co which employs 35 people on Chester Road, in Northwich.

She has been with the company, which was set up in 1953, just five years.

And Chris, who specialises in accounting with musicians, joined Lloyd Piggott, of Manchester, four years ago where he's now a partner.

Jane said: "It's a very demanding position. But I enjoy the variety of work and trying to help clients, for example with their tax problems.

"We have little time for much else except eating out once in a while. Chris and I have a standing joke - on Sunday night we say 'see you on Friday!'

"As for the future? We want to expand the growing businesses we're with."

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