AN INSEPARABLE Coalsnaughton couple last week celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

Francis, 87, and May, 85, Hunter tied the knot on September 13, 1952, and count themselves lucky that they’ve had the chance to make it to the blue sapphire age of 65.

The couple are planning to celebrate by enjoying a low key evening with Francis’ sisters and going out for dinner.

Franics and May, who first met through friends and became pen pals when Francis spent 18 months in the army, were married at Coalsnaughton Church.

May, who is originally from Leith, moved to the village - where she and Francis have lived since.

Francis left the army to work in an Alva store and then spent 30 years at Prudential before retiring in 1990.

May worked at Hewitt’s in Devonside and the Alloa Co-operative before finishing up at Sterling Warehouse.

Francis told the Advertiser that the secret to a successful marriage is not to have arguments.

He joked: “She does what she’s told. We just get on with each other, no arguments.

“We are very lucky. We’re lucky we still have each other.

“We never fall out,” he added. “There’s no need for it. We just have differences of opinion. It’s not worth it.

“We never had time for children, we had too many holidays to go on.

“We used to go down to Bournemouth, Lake District and Windermere. Those days are behind us though.”

Although the couple are going out for dinner, they don’t plan on giving gifts to celebrate, because they’ve already given each other everything.

May said: “With jewellery and all that, there’s no point. 

“At this age it’s just going to be given away in a wee while. I hope it’s a long while.”