James and Mary celebrate sixty years of wedded bliss

James and Mary Bathgate cut the cake at their diamond celebrations, held at the Longniddry Inn, East Lothian, where they were joined by their 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

The pair met and fell in love at a crowded dance hall in the spring of 1948.

Mr Bathgate, who turns 81 next month, had invited the pretty young girl for a spin across the tiles but was undeterred by her frosty reception.

"We first met at the dance hall in Musselburgh," he said.

"How I felt when I first saw her I will save just for me. I asked her to dance and she refused me. But after that, it was love at first sight."

Mary's timidity didn't last long as they soon started courting and the pair were married in an intimate ceremony on August 25, 1950 at Musselburgh's registrar's office.

"He was a good dancer," Mrs Bathgate said. "Even though he had polio when he was younger it never stopped him being first across the floor for a dance and it still never stops him."

As newlyweds the couple couldn't afford an extravagant honeymoon and opted instead for a few days at Mr Bathgate's sister's house in Livingston.

"We were supposed to stay there for a week but we came back early because I like to be at home and am not that keen on holidays," said Mrs Bathgate, 78, who was born and bred in Whitecraig.

On their return to East Lothian, Mr Bathgate found work as an apprentice engineer at a Musselburgh cotton mill before qualifying and working at an agricultural farm.

He spent his 20 years working in various collieries before retiring in 1983. Mrs Bathgate's time was greatly taken up with her four children and later grandchildren.

"We are just made for each other," she said.

"My daughter was saying she has never heard her mum or dad arguing, and it's probably true. We are very considerate of each other."

"We have had our tiffs but never a full-blown argument. He tells me what I have done wrong and I tell him.

"We always get on well and if there's anything bothering us we talk it over instead of roaring at each other."

Mrs Bathgate said the recent festivities were the first time the whole family had been together in years.

"When we walked in and saw everyone together we could not believe it," she said.

"Seeing that was better than winning the pools. I will never forget it."

Of the celebrations, Mr Bathgate said: "It was a very good evening. It's nice to have all the family together and to see all my great-grandchildren."

Asked for the secret to a happy and fulfilling marriage he replied: "Real hard work."

The couple's 12th great-grandchild is due in October.