IT was a double celebration for a happy couple from Bewdley who have marked 60 years of marriage.

Clifford and Elizabeth Harris, of The Lakes Road, celebrated their diamond wedding on the same day as Mr Harris's 81st birthday.

The couple held a party for all their friends and family last Friday at Wharton Park Golf Club, the day after their actual anniversary.

Mr and Mrs Harris first met, aged 11, at the Manor School in Coseley in the Black Country, where they both lived, and were married at St Mary's Church in the town on August 17, 1946.

After leaving school, Mrs Harris, now aged 80, worked in a chemists and Mr Harris was in the armed forces before working at a steelworks in Bilston.

The couple, who moved to Bewdley in 1987, have three children, Kathryn, Hilary and Andrew, five grandchildren, Clare, Gemma, Lee, Christopher and Natalie and one great-grandson, Bradley.

They both enjoy playing ptanque and received an anniversary card from the Queen to mark their milestone.

Mr Harris said their secret for a long and happy marriage was that if they ever had a disagreement during the day, they always made up before going to bed.