IT was the middle of the Second World War but nothing could keep airman Arthur Aiken from his wedding.

Today the former RAF serviceman celebrates 60 years of marriage to Alice.

The couple, both 86, tied the knot at their local church in Liverpool in 1942, having met at work at Paton Calvert in Liverpool before Arthur was called up.

After seeing action in Bombay, Arthur returned to the company in 1946 where he was made financial director. Alice also worked in accounts.

When the couple, who were both the youngest children from large families, retired some 20 years ago, they moved to East Lancashire to be near son Iain and their grandchildren.

The couple, who also have a son and three more grandchildren in Reading, currently live in Hob Green, Mellor, and are set to celebrate the occasion with a big family party.