FORMER Bolton Wanderers star and England international, Malcolm Barrass, reach another milestone today when he and his wife Joyce celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary.

The couple, both aged 82, who live in Langdale Avenue, Sunnybank, Bury, were married 60 years ago at Tyldesley Methodist church, on June 7, 1947.

They met while helping with the war effort at Aero Engines, in Trafford Park, but Malcolm signed for Wanderers in 1944 and spent 12 years at the club.

Born in the North-east, the centre-half played three times for England during his time with the Bolton. Malcolm won his first cap in 1951, when England drew 1-1 with Wales, and was a member of the Bolton side beaten 4-3 by Blackpool in the legendary "Stanley Matthews" FA Cup Final of 1953.

He played 357 league and cup games for Wanderers, scoring 27 goals. Malcolm moved to Sheffield United in 1956, and later become the player-manager of non-league Wigan Athletic.

Malcolm and Joyce were married following a three-year courtship and have two children, four grandchildren and one great grandchild. One of their grandchildren, Matt, followed in Malcolm's footsteps to become a professional footballer, playing as a centre-half for Bury.

This week the couple will be joined by their family to celebrate their diamond wedding.

Mr Barrass said of his wife: "She was bonny when I met her and she still is. I think agreeing to disagree is the secret of a happy marriage."