PALM Springs in California may sound idyllic with its golf course and endless sun.

But there is one thing it does not have, according to former Bolton couple John and Wilfred Thomson -- Lancashire cheese.

The pair emigrated to Canada in 1954 before settling in America.

Yet despite loving the atmosphere of the States, they admit to missing the culinary delights of Bolton.

So much so, that for their Golden Wedding celebrations today, they decided to hold their anniversary party back 'home'.

And the cheese was almost certain to be on the menu.

Mrs Thomson, aged 75, said: "Lancashire cheese is definitely one of the things we miss about Bolton because it's something we can't get in America.

"The main reason for returning here is to see my family, though.

"I think Bolton will always be home so it's nice to celebrate 50 years of marriage here."

The couple married at St James' Church, in Breightmet, on September 5, 1951, and decided to move to Canada three years later.

Keen golfer Mr Thomson, aged 74, who worked as a machinist in Little Hulton, and his wife, a former office and factory worker from Breightmet, lived in Toronto, Canada, where they took up similar jobs in 1954.

Mrs Thomson said: "After the Second World War, there was a lot of rationing and it was a time of change so we made the decision to leave. It seemed the best time.

"We've been back to Bolton a few times since, in 1966, 1991 and 1993 and we do enjoy seeing the place."

The couple, who never had children, are staying with Mrs Thomson's brother, Jack Howard, aged 72, and his wife, Flo, aged 81, in Over Hulton until the end of September.

They recently took a break aboard a cruise liner in the Mediterranean as a wedding anniversary gift to each other.

Mrs Thomson said: "I don't think there is a secret to having a long marriage. We talk to each other and get on well. We've been very happy."

Mr Thomson said: "We've had a good life in America."