A PROUD Preston couple who were married minutes after Winston Churchill's daughter walked down the same aisle celebrated 60 years of wedded bliss.

Jim and Nan Wood, who live in Frenchwood, had their 15 minutes of fame when press photographers jostled for a picture of the former PM's daughter Sarah at Caxton Hall, London.

The Woods were promised copies of any photos they were on, but they never materialised!

Some 60 years on, the pair celebrated their long and successful marriage with a blessing at Emmanuel Church, Plungington, Preston despite Jim recently having major surgery to remove part of his bowel.

Preston-born Jim, aged 82, was a prisoner of war in Greece and Yugoslavia for four years. After World War Two, he joined the Royal Army Service Corps and worked his way up to the rank of Captain. The family of 12 children travelled the world, living in Aldershot, Malaya and Berlin before coming back to Preston when Jim was posted at Fulwood Barracks.

He then worked for the Royal British Legion Attendants Company on Garstang Road until he retired. Nan was a full-time home-maker. They also have 16 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Daughter Jennifer had flown in from Canada, where she emigrated 23 years ago, for her parents' special day. She said: "It was a lovely moving occasion. We're such an emotional family - we cry at the drop of a hat!"

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