A COUPLE have been reunited with their three original bridesmaids -- 50 years after the happy day.

And one of them came all the way from Canada.

Joe and Jean Corless held a party for family and friends to mark their golden wedding -- and were thrilled their bridesmaids were able to attend the party at Smithills and Heaton Conservative Club.

Chief bridesmaid Olga Ellis, now aged 70, has lived for the past 35 years in Montreal, Canada.

The two other bridesmaids, who are Mr Corless's nieces, were little girls when the couple got married in 1952 at Christ's Church in Chorley New Road.

Jackie Lay, now aged 56, lives Bingley in Yorkshire and Sheila Gordon, now aged 58, lives in Whitefield.

Mr and Mrs Corless, who have two children and five grandchildren, met 55 years ago dancing at Bolton Palais.

Mrs Corless, aged 71, was only 16 when she met her future husband and they courted for five years before marrying.

They were both brought up in Smithills, but have lived in Egerton for the past 19 years.

Mrs Corless met her chief bridesmaid when they were aged just six and lived in the same street.

Mother-of-five Mrs Ellis said: "I wouldn't have missed the party for the world. We came across especially and it was a wonderful day. I love coming back to Bolton and seeing all the improvements in the town."

Former engineer, Mr Corless, aged 75, said: "The secret to a long lasting marriage is attraction, understanding and having things in common."