A COUPLE from Alloa are set the celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary tomorrow.

The town's Matthew and Sheila Paterson will be marking the blue sapphire anniversary on Thursday, February 25, having tied the knot six-and-a-half decades ago.

While the ongoing coronavirus restrictions mean they are not able to celebrate with family in the usual way, and indeed they will not be able to welcome Provost Tina Murphy into their home as they did five years ago, the pair remain in high spirits.

They got married at Chalmers Church in Alloa 65 years ago tomorrow, having met in 1954 at a dance at Mayfair ballroom.

Mr Paterson was as young as 18 when he made his wedding vows to Mrs Paterson, who was 20 at the time.

They since had a daughter, Linda Bell, as well as two grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Linda told the Advertiser: "It's amazing, it makes you so proud.

"Lockdown has been quite tough, as it has been for everybody and I think we are all disappointed that we can't celebrate the way that they would like to."

However, and without ruining any big surprises, Linda added: "But we will make it a special day for them, definitely!"

Mr Paterson previously told the Advertiser that he did not drink a single drop of alcohol at the wedding.

Instead, the couple – now aged 83 and 85 – danced the night away to Rock 'n' Roll music, later taking a bus down to Bathgate to spend three nights at his brother's house for their honeymoon.

Speaking ahead of the big anniversary day, Mr Paterson told the Advertiser: "We are excited, it's quite a milestone."

Looking back at the memories from the past more than six decades, he said: "Getting married, the daughter coming along, then the son-in-law, grandkids coming along – everything has been absolutely beautiful."

When asked by the Advertiser at their diamond wedding anniversary five years ago, Mr Paterson said he would "do it all over again" if he had the chance – and that certainly has not changed.

As for the secret to a marriage that passes the test of time, he added: "Just pick the right one.

"It's been very good, our whole life."