A WARTIME couple who did not let thousands of miles get in the way of their romance have returned to Warrington to mark their 60th wedding anniversary.

Former Australian air force pilot Ron Buchan, met his wife Marian, while he was stationed in Padgate during the Second World War.

The couple struck up a romance and eventually the Padgate bride moved out to Australia to be with her new husband.

They returned to the town this week, to visit Christchurch in Padgate, almost 60 years to the day since they were married in the church.

Now Mrs Buchan says their only disagreements are when the cricket is on!

She said: "We are both keen cricket fans, I got into it when I moved there and we didn't have a television so listened to it on the radio."

While on their visit to the UK the couple were also invited to a war bride reception held by the Australian High Commissioner in London which the pair said was a 'lovely evening.'

They met at a dance at Padgate Village Hall, on May 6 1944, although Mr Buchan was stationed all over the country, he says he kept coming back to Warrington as his future wife, 'didn't compare to anyone else'.

After discussing marriage the pair decided to wed in Warrington, as it meant only an eight-month wait before she could move down under to join her new husband.