GOLDEN couple Brenda and Leslie Hargreaves celebrated 50 years of marriage with a grand party for 150 family and friends.

The couple both went to Blackthorn Elementary School, although they were in different classes and moved in the same social circles.

The started going out together in Christmas 1944, a few months before Leslie joined the army and completed his national service.

They married in the former Mount Olive Baptist Church, in South Street, Bacup, and when they set up house they didn't have far to go -- they moved next-door to Leslie's childhood home in Hannah Street, Bacup.

Leslie, 74, worked as a pattern cutter for Maden and Ireland in Bacup and Brenda, 75, was a slipper worker and worked in several local factories.

They have two sons Malcolm and Andrew and two grandchildren Peter and Kathryn and the family have arranged a party at Trinity Baptist Church and a holiday.

Leslie said: "I don't have any secret for a happy marriage, we have had our ups and downs but to have always managed to work through them."