A COUPLE who believe the secret to a successful marriage is trust and a sense of humour are celebrating their diamond wedding.

Ronald and Edna Baron, both 80, of Lilac Grove, Clitheroe, met as teenagers while living in neighbouring streets in Blackburn.

They used to go cycling and, though initially Ronald didn't make much of an impression on Edna, he was smitten from day one and asked her to marry him after a three-year courtship.They were wed on July 18, 1942, at John's Church, Blackburn, but a month later Ronald was called up and they were separated for four years.

Edna worked at Bristol Aircraft during the war and when Ronald returned they lived in Oswald Street, Blackburn.

Ronald worked as a joiner at William Livesey in Blackburn until retirement and the couple raised two sons, Dennis and Stephen.

They moved to Low Moor, Clitheroe, in 1992, then returned to Blackburn to look after Edna's mum, before settling in Lilac Grove.

Ronald has been a keen drummer all his life and played for the popular jazz band Trad Dads.