A COUPLE married for 60 years have celebrated their milestone with friends and family.

Joyce and Owen Fitzsimmons, of Azalea Walk, Barrow, met through through their love of swimming at the Barrow Amateur Swimming Club.

Now six decades later the couple are still as happy as they were as newlyweds.

Mrs Fitzsimmons, 80, said: "If you get a good partner, that's everything."

Shortly after the couple married on September 29, 1956, at St Patrick's Church, Mr Fitzsimmons went to sea for five years, completing his national service in the merchant navy.

Mrs Fitzsimmons said: "After he came back, we then bought our first house."

Born and bred in Barrow, the couple have spent all their lives in the area.

Mr Fitzsimmons, like so many men of his generation, went to work in the booming Vickers shipyard, in his case working as an electrician.

Mrs Fitzsimmons had a successful career in merchandising for confectionery giant Rowntree Mackintosh.

She said: "When Asda opened up, they wanted people to go and help them with their own products."

Mrs Fitzsimmons is still in touch with her friends from her working days, one of the reasons she attributes to never wanting to leave the area.

She said: "We're really happy here. We've lived in the area now for 47 years."

On the couple's special day, one of their children had arranged a royal surprise for them.

They received a special card from the Queen congratulating them on their diamond anniversary.

Mrs Fitzsimmons said: "It was a lovely surprise. My daughter was standing there beaming, when I opened it I was delighted."

The Fitzsimmons are the parents of four children, Sharon, 59; Nola, 54; Mark, 54 and Paul, 53.

They also have two grandchildren, something Mrs Fitzsimmons is very proud of.

She said: "It's lovely to see them grow up."

For all their happy years together, the couple have endured tougher times.

Mr Fitzsimmons was diagnosed with dementia 18 months ago.

With the help of his wife, the condition is manageable, and they are still able to live a normal life.

Mrs Fitzsimmons said: "You keep going. You get through highs and the lows. As long as we have love, that's all you need."