AN ALVA couple will celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary tomorrow, November 30.

Elizabeth and Robert Richardson, fondly known by friends and family as Betty and Bobby, have been married for 60 years and remain hopelessly in love.

The pair met in somewhat unlikely circumstances in 1955 when they were in hospital at the same time. But after they were both out, their relationship blossomed.

Betty told the Advertiser: "We used to wave to one another and then we started sending notes, and then when we got out we started going out with each other."

The first date was a romantic stroll along the aptly named Lovers Walk in Sauchie and by Christmas of 1956 they were engaged, before marrying in 1957.

When asked what there memories were of the big day, Bobby joked: "It was cold!"

The service was held at Sauchie Parish Church, before fun was had at the reception in Alva's Johnstone Arms Hotel.

The duo have raised two children, Jim and Eric, have a granddaughter Kerry-Anne and three great granddaughters, Kaitlin, Megan and Bethanie.

For Betty, 83, and Bobby, 82, the people close to them meaning everything. The couple agreed: "We love our family. Our sons have been divorced and married again, so we've got two sons but we've had four weddings."

They go abroad twice a year, with Benidorm their favourite destination, and enjoy taking in cabaret and the performances of comedians.

And the most important thing for a lasting marriage, they say, is working together but they quipped that they don't actually have any advice for future generations.

Betty said: "We have had our arguments and fall outs. Everybody has their ups and downs... Give and take; you've got to compromise.

"You can't tell the young ones anything because they don't listen to you – they just do what they like."

Though Bobby added: "You can advise."