ERIC and May Barlow have celebrated 50 years of marriage The couple from Tonge Road, Little Lever first met at Little Lever Cricket Club in 1947, when Eric was a player and May looked after the scores.

They were married six years later at St. Matthew's Church in Little Lever.

Both were keen on sport in their youth. May played hockey for her youth club, and Eric played football for Little Lever and Kearsley West.

Eric was a plumber with Ratcliffe Gas before National Service while May worked at Broadbent's paper mill.

They bought a milk round which they both worked on for 32 years before retiring.

They have two children, Carol and Gary, four grandchildren, and a great grandchild.

May and Eric are well known in cricketing circles, and May has been secretary for 49 years at Little Lever, where they held their party on Saturday night.