AN ALVA couple who have always been there for each other recently celebrated six decades of marriage.

Mr George and Mrs Marie Forsyth last week received a visit from Wee County dignitaries as they marked their diamond wedding anniversary.

The couple tied the knot at South Church in Stirling on September 19 in 1962 before moving to Clackmannanshire about a decade later.

George, 83, and Marie, nee Wright and aged 82, brought up two children in Sandra and George, are proud grandparents to Ross as well as Amy and Rachel and are happy great-grandparents to eight-week-old Amara.

Surrounded by hundreds of cards and flowers from their many friends, they received a visit from Provost Donald Balsillie and Mr Craig Dunbar, clerk to Clackmannanshire's Lord Lieutenant.

According to daughter Sandra Clements, the couple are happiest together.

“They do everything together,” she said. “We had a great childhood, we are really lucky, we are a close family, spend a lot of time with them.

“They are great parents, supportive, we were really secure.

“They are just lovely people, they have loads of friends and if you were in the house over the period of their anniversary you would have seen hundreds of cards, loads of flowers – so many gifts.”

As for the secret to a long-lasting marriage, Sandra explained the couple are still in love with each other 60 years on, just as much as they were as teenagers when they met. Indeed, it is something that has never changed.

She said: “They are a strong team, they look after each other, they put each other first, when the times are hard they stand strong.”

Sandra added: “They are incredibly generous as well, they are always looking out for you, even as grown ups.”