The sun shone brightly for  Birch Green Care Centre’s diamond couple Eric and Mary Nicholls, ensuring their 60^th wedding anniversary was a sparkling occasion.

Her Majesty The Queen  was among the  wellwishers who sent cards congratulating the pair on their happy achievement on July 1.

To celebrate, a family party was held at the Skelmersdale home, where Eric, who is aged 90, and Mary, who will be 82 later this month, have both lived since March last year.

Relatives including their two daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren toasted their happiness with Bucks Fizz during a buffet meal which included a diamond shaped cake.

Eric, who worked as a cutter and presser in a tailor’s shop as well as for a garden nursery, recalls marrying Mary at a church in Orrell in 1950 before being driven to Birkenhead in his brother’s Ford Model 8 car. There they caught the train to Stratford on Avon, where they spent their honeymoon.

Activities Co-ordinator Karen House said the sunny weather had enabled guests to enjoy the garden during the party, which had been a real cause for celebration.