EIFION and Brenda Watkins fell in love in church and were married within months - despite a significant language barrier.

The couple met at Blackburn's Randal Street Apostolic Church despite the fact Eifion barely spoke any English, having followed a lay preacher from his home in South Wales.

They tied the knot on April 5, 1952, at Zion Assemblies of God in Montague Street, Blackburn, and are today celebrating their golden wedding anniversary with their five children, 12 grand children and two great grand children.

While Brenda is busy gardening, Eifion likes to go fishing but together they have enjoyed trips to Israel, Egypt and Canada and are looking forward to a week in Malta to celebrate.

Eifion said: "There are only ten days between us which makes me Brenda's toy boy! When we married we made a pact that we would always put each other first and that is how we have stayed together."

Eifion worked all his life in mining at Huncoat colliery and in South Wales while Blackburn-born Brenda was a housewife.

The couple lived at Leamington Road and Cheltenham Street in Blackburn but are now at Maerdy Betws Road, Ammanford in South Wales.