DIAMOND darlings Alan and Joan Wheeler celebrated 60 years of marriage last week.

The Latchford couple from Longdin Street toasted the marvellous milestone with champagne and a telegram from the Queen with their family and a phone call from their son Colin who lives in America.

Alan, aged 81, and Joan, aged 79, (pictured right) first met at a local dance at what is now the Carlton Club after Alan had returned from service with the Royal Navy during the Second World War.

Love blossomed between the pair and around 12 months later the couple married at Warrington Parish Church.

The couple have two sons, Michael and Colin, and four grandchildren, Stuart, Deniece, Nicholas and Michael. Following his passion for sport, Alan was a professional rugby league player and played for the Belle Vue Rangers as a winger.

When an injury ended his playing career, he moved into coaching local teams such as Rylands Recreation.

Joan worked for various companies across Warrington including the Department for Health and Social Security before retiring.

Speaking about how they've kept their marriage happy, Alan said: "You've just got to keep laughing; it's the only thing you can do."