THE term childhood sweethearts could have been invented for Gerry and Liz Bird – a couple about to celebrate their diamond anniversary who have been beside each other for their whole lives.

Because from the day they were born, they lived next door to each other in North View Avenue, Malvern – and it seems to have been written in the stars that they would be together.

That, and that fact that a determined Gerry, who, according to daughter Kerry King, built Liz a go-cart at the age of 10 and told her he was going to marry her.

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Unsurprisingly, as next-door neighbours, they went to the same school – and it was at Chase High that they got together.

JUST MARRIED: Gerry and Liz on their wedding day

JUST MARRIED: Gerry and Liz on their wedding day

The couple were married on March 25 1961 at Holy Trinity Church, Malvern.

Kerry said: "They lived at Quest Hills Road in the town, and they both worked hard all their life.

"Mum got her 25 years award in the NHS and until she retired she was the cook at Malvern Hospital.

"Dad worked at Worcester Porcelain, then at the Mother's Pride Bakery in Albert Park Road, and was then self employed until he retired.

"They both worked hard and saved and bought their own home and told us the values of working hard and saving for what you want."

The key to a long and happy marriage?

Give and take and being there for each other, says Kerry, who added "my Dad said never go to bed on an argument and laugh a lot."

In common with thousands of others unable to mark big days, there are no plans for a special celebration, although no doubt the family, including Kerry's brother Gerald, granddaughters, Stephanie, Jessica and Sophie, and two great-grandchildren, Ralphie and Imogen will have something up their sleeve.

Kerry said: "My Mum and Dad worked all their life to give my brother and I a lovely childhood and good advice for us as we grew into adults.

"They are always there for us and we couldn’t have asked for better parents for all their love, advice and support they give us we love them so much."

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