WHEN Doris and Charlie Bradley got married they were together for only 48 hours before soldier Charlie went to war for the next three years.

That was 60 years ago and the couple from Whitehead Street, Rawtenstall, have just celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

Doris, 83, and Charlie, 81, met by chance while on holiday on the Isle of Man in 1937.

Although Doris lived in Rawtenstall and Charlie in Bacup, they had never met until they both went to a dance on the island.

They married at the former Jubilee Methodist Chapel in Lord Street, Rawtenstall, when Charlie got a 48-hour pass.

After he finished his training he served with the Loyal Regiment in North Africa and Italy before returning home in 1945.

He did not see his son Kenneth until he was six months old.

Doris said: "While he was serving, his sister died and his brother was killed in Germany two weeks before Armistice day."

The couple also have a daughter Patricia and five grandchildren.

Charlie set up his own business C & D Bradley plasterers and worked until he was 65.

Doris gave up working in Greenbridge slipper works in Rawtenstall to have Kenneth.

Charlie is a member of Rawtenstall Cricket Club and president of the Royal British Legion Rawtenstall branch and president of the Loyals at Preston.