IT is a landmark most married couples can only hope for, but for Mary and Eric Wickham their blue sapphire anniversary marks 65 years of love and marriage.

The pair met in their home town of Crewe in 1945 after Mr Wickham spotted his future wife marching with the Girls Training Corps and looked her up at their local youth club.

Mrs Wickham, now 85, said: “I was 17 at the time and he was 20. He must have found out who I was and came to meet me at the youth club.”

From there, the couple courted for three years before marrying at the North Street Chapel on March 20, 1947, but they now live in Wilson Fold Avenue, Lostock.

It was through Mr Wickham’s job with the railways that the couple moved to Horwich in 1955.They settled in the area with their four sons and a daughter. Mr Wickam worked as a chief superintendent at the Horwich Works Foundry until he retired, while Mrs Wickham was kept busy bringing up the children.

She later worked at the former Ingersoll Rand, in Chorley New, Road, Horwich, for more than nine years years until they both retired.

They now have seven grandchildren and five great-children.

Mrs Wickham said: “Eric was 58 when he retired so we have been very lucky to enjoy more than 30 years of retirement. We used to fill our time with lots of walking and holidays abroad which was lovely for us.

“Lots of people keep asking what the secret is to a long and happy marriage and I always laugh. I always say ‘Take one day at a time sweet Jesus’ as the song goes.

“We have had a lovely happy marriage and five lovely children. The whole day has been lovely occasion for us.”

Mr Wickham, aged 88, said: “It has been a brilliant time for us both, from since we first met back in Crewe at the youth club.”

The couple are celebrating with a big family party at the De Vere Whites Hotel at the Reebok.