ARMY recruit Bill Fecitt had danced with future wife Leah several times when he took the step of asking her out.

The diamond wedding couple saw each other regularly on the dance floor of Tottington Conservative Club, but had only just begun courting when Bill was mobilised.

He ended up in the Medical Corps, serving at hospitals across the country, and was discharged for health reasons before the war ended.

The couple had kept in touch by letter and upon returning home Bill joined Leah to work at Kirklees Silk Works.

The pair were married and eventually settled at their current address in Rhodes Street, Tottington.

Their first child, Graham, arrived in 1957, and was followed by two sisters, Barbara and Margaret.

Bill stayed on at the silk works until it closed in the 1960s, and went on to Bury Masco felt works until retirement. Leah worked at Edwards hat works in Tottington.

The couple celebrated their anniversary yesterday (Thursday) with a meal out for family and friends.

Leah said: "It's about taking care of each other no matter what problems life has to offer."