HONESTY is the secret of a long and happy marriage, according to a Darwen couple celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary.

Connie and Dennis Hunt, of Abbey Crescent, married at St James' Church on December 6, 1947.

Connie, now 80, worked in a confectioner's in Sudell Road and Dennis, now 82, lived next door.

Their romance flourished in the dance hall above the Co-op and as they took walks together on Sundays in Sunnyhurst Wood.

Connie wore her sister's wedding dress as a hand-me-down as wartime rations stopped her from getting a new one.

She added: "The flowers caused a lot of problems because when we went to see the photographer for the photos after the wedding, the group photo hadn't got any.

"So about three weeks after the wedding we had to assemble all the guests again, all dressed up, to get another photo! It was a real calamity because the photographer still hadn't got any flowers and we ended up with more pictures taken without them."

Connie and Dennis, who owned Sunnybank garage, have two daughters, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

The family is coming together for a party at Darwen Golf Club, with family members travelling from France and Oxford.

Connie said the marriage has been based on honesty and trust: "We trust one another and help each other out. My husband takes part in house work and we share everything."

They received a card from the Queen, who has also just celebrated her diamond wedding.