SPRIGHTLY spinster Emma Smith is to be a bride for the first time - at the age of 86.

The former Woolworth's manageress will be married on Tuesday to retired American professional golfer Jim Russell, 84.

The pair will tie the knot at Accrington Register Office before starting a new life together in Washington State, America.

The couple first met when Emma, who lives in Lacey Court sheltered accommodation in Haslingden, visited the Grand Canyon in Arizona in 1985. She said: "I was with a friend. We were aged 76 and 75, two biddies abroad in America.

"We met Jim and his wife Ruth and we became friends."

They continued to correspond but sadly Ruth died four years ago.

Emma and Jim kept in contact and have made regular visits to each other.

Friendship turned into romance and just before Christmas they decided it was time to marry.

Emma said: "It was more or less an understanding, there was no proposal as such. I have never been enamoured with the thought of marriage. My mum and dad were happy together but it is still a gamble and I have never been a gambler. I have always had a good home and never been tempted away, until now." She joked: "I am not really marrying Jim but his family. I never had brothers and sisters and I think it will be very nice becoming part of a family. Going back there with him will feel like I am going home."

Jim was a golf professional throughout his working life, for 30 years at the Country Club, in Walla Wall, Washington State.

He only stopped playing a five years ago when he had to have a leg amputated because of circulation problems.

Jim has been credited with inventing two now popular forms of golf, shotgun golf in which large groups play simultaneously from different tees and stop watch golf in which the idea is to complete the course as fast as possible, recorded in the Guinness Book as nine minutes 28 seconds.

Born in Colne but brought up in Cleethorpes, Emma worked for Woolworths for 42 years, as manageress at Haslingden until the store closed and then as deputy manageress in Blackburn up to her retirement.

She has no interest in golf but now the couple have decided to make it a match.

After the wedding a reception will be held with their friends at Lacey Court.

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