DIAMOND couple Tom and Molly Smith celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in style -- and raised more than £500 for charity.

The couple, who live in Manchester Road, Hapton, joined friends and family for a meal at the Higher Trapp Hotel, Simonstone, and received 86 cards congratulating them on their anniversary.

But instead of receiving gifts on the special day, Tom who served in the Royal Navy for four years asked people to give donations to the Royal Naval Patrol Service Benevolent Fund.

They collected £528 and will hand over the money in Lowestoft, in Suffolk, in the first week of October. They also raised £500 for the charity on their Golden Wedding anniversary.

Tom and Molly, both 83, met when they were 17.

Tom said: "Everyone used to go down to the Mill Lodge, in Hapton, in the summer to go swimming and that's where we met. It used to be like Blackpool.

"We started going out and got engaged on Molly's 21st birthday.

"We have lived in the same house for 60 years. The secret is to give and take.

"As regards money matters -- we have only one purse and if there's money there it is to share. I think money is the problem these days.

"We have plodded on and I think we have done really well."

The pair were the 13th couple to be married at St Margaret's Church, Hapton. They have one daughter, a grandson and granddaughter.