GOLDEN wedding couple Jim and Annie Smith arranged their big day in just a week!

That's how long the sweethearts had before Jim had to return to fight in India during The Second World War.

Fifty years on the couple, of Cranberry Lane, Darwen, still reminisce about the chaotic seven days leading to their wedding at Hollins Grove Congregational Church, Darwen, where they originally met.

Son Alan, daughter-in-law Diane and grandchildren Nina and Noel will travel from Derbyshire to attend a party in their honour tonight at The Craiglands, Watery Lane, Darwen.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.