AGREEING not to disagree is the secret of a long and happy marriage according to a couple celebrating their Golden Wedding anniversary today.

Joan and Patrick Humphrey, of St Albans Road, Darwen, married at St George's Church in the town, having met two years previously over a waltz at the local dance hall. The couple's daughter and son-in-law, Jean and John Wyche, of Old Gates Drive, Feniscowles, arranged for 49-year-old son Ian Humphrey to make a surprise trip from Sweden to celebrate the anniversary.

Glasgow-born Patrick was a maintenance fitter at Akzo Nobel Crown Paints in Darwen for 23 years before he retired in 1988. He enjoys crown green bowling as a hobby. Joan, a former pupil of Avondale School, has lived in Darwen all her life and also worked part-time at Akzo Nobel Crown Paints. They have two grandchildren, Amy, 13, and Katie, five.