A meeting at a church’s St Patrick’s night dance has led to 60 years of married life for a Silsden couple.

Bernard and Catherine Rush, who have lived in East Dene for nearly 50 years, celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary today.

They met in 1951 and were married at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church the following year.

They have two sons and two daughters.

Mrs Rush, 81, said: “We’ve been lucky, we’ve always had good health. Every family has its ups and downs and I did have a temper – but I’ve given that up now, I’ve calmed down!”

Mr Rush, 89, a keen guitarist, is from Warrington but has lived in Silsden since he was seven.

During the Second World War he served in the Royal Navy, seeing action during the D-Day Landings in 1944, as part of a flotilla at Omaha Beach.

Looking back he said: “It was very rough. In the end both engines packed up. Most of the landing craft got washed up on to the beach.”

Mrs Rush is from County Waterford, in Ireland, but came to England when she was 18.

Both she and her husband spent 21 years with Meals on Wheels, collecting and delivering meals to elderly people. Until recently the couple also cooked and served meals at Keighley’s Salvation Army branch.