FANCY footwork on the football pitch began on the dance floor for former Manchester City player George Smith who, with his wife Marjorie, has celebrated 60 years of marriage.

Love struck for the Prestwich couple at a local dance hall and they went on to marry at St Mary's Church in 1942.

The pair, who live in Stanley Avenue South, first met at school in Broughton but did not begin courting until they were teenagers.

George (81) was in the forces and had to obtain a special licence to marry Marjorie (79) while on embarkation leave.

After being in the East Lancs Regiment and the Border Regiment in Scotland, he went on to join the Kings African Rifle Regiment but had to return home after being wounded in the arm by a bullet in Kenya.

Nevertheless, George played 166 games for the Blues from 1945 to 1952, scoring 75 goals. He also made 250 appearances for Chesterfield, scoring 96 goals. He continued his love of football by becoming manager of Prestwich Heys some years later.

Marjorie used to work for a quantity surveyor as a comptometer operator (calculating machine), and George was a former employee of Kennings motor firm, where he was the manager of the tyre depot.

They have three children, two sons and a daughter, Lynne, who recently moved to live in Cyprus, and three grandchildren. They also have two great grandchildren.

Now the pair prefer a quieter life at home and say the success of their 60-year union is mainly down to "give and take".

The couple enjoyed a celebratory lunch with one of their sons to commemorate their special day which was on April 25.