Chance encounter on the dance floor leads to 60 happy years for Wednesfield couple

Toni and Barbara Cooper marked their diamond wedding anniversary partying the evening away with loved ones.

The pair, who have lived in their Wednesfield home for about 35 years, first met during a dance at Tettenhall's parish hall.

Mr Cooper, who lived in Wolverhampton's Great Brickkiln Street at the time of the chance encounter, said: "This was the first time we had met, I hadn't been before. I went in and I asked her to dance and that was it."

After boldly asking his wife-to-be for a dance, the pair began courting and managed to squeeze in a trip to see each other almost every day.

A two-year engagement then followed while Mr Cooper was stationed in Castle Bromwich as a recovery driver during his national service.

But the couple, who are grandparents-of-five and live in Springhill Road, managed to finally tie the knot at Tettenhall church St Michael and All Angels on December 7, 1957.

Revealing the secrets behind a long and happy marriage, former Chubbs locksmith Mr Cooper said: "Give and take is the most important thing and having a sense of humour in life.

"It's been wonderful. It's gone so quickly, it doesn't seem that long."

Celebrations to mark the milestone took over Wolverhampton Rugby Union Football Club, in Castlecroft Road, last Friday.

Mrs Cooper recalled she was working at Wednesfield Road's Joshua Bigwood & Son Ltd and living in Tettenhall when she first met her husband.

The 80-year-old added: "A lot couldn't make it because of the weather but we had a lovely time.

"We have had a happy life together, we have made the best of it. I'm glad I'm not a young person now, It's just very different. Life is so fast paced.