A COUPLE are celebrating 60 years of happy marriage.

Edith and Stan Gill, both 82, tied the knot at St Peter’s Church in Askam on August 23, 1958.

The diamond couple, who live in Hall Street, said working together and maintaining different interests was the key to a happy marriage.

Both of them spent years together heavily involved in promoting road safety in Dalton and Barrow.

Mr Gill said: “We have thoroughly enjoyed being married for 60 years. We have had a great time together over the years and we have always done things together.

“We have worked on a lot of road safety projects over the years as part of the Road Safety Council but outside we have different interests and I think that is a very good for a happy marriage.”

The pair first met in 1952 when the both attended the Road Safety Junior Council.

They had their first date in 1956. When Mr Gill proposed, his wife said she was “expecting it”.

As well as working on road safety, Mr Gill worked at BAE as an engineer for more than 40 years.

He also served as a magistrate and still holds the title justice of the peace. He is well known in Furness for instructing hundreds of youngsters through their cycling proficiency.

Mrs Gill was involved with the guiding movement for around 70 years before she retired in 2011.

In 2014, she was invited to Westminster Abbey to attend a special event with Stan to celebrate the guides.

She said: “There is no secret to a happy marriage - we just enjoy spending time with each other.

“It has been great working together on projects over the years.

“We are different in some ways though - I am certainly more outsdoorsy.”

Mr and Mrs Gill have five children as well a big extended family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mrs Gill said: “It is great to have such a big family we really enjoy.

“Recently at Christmas we had a gathering with around 40 of us.”

Among the well-wishers offering their congratulations was The Queen.

She sent the couple a card conveying her best wishes to the happy couple.

If you or someone you know is celebrating an anniversary then please send details to news.em@newsquest.co.uk or call 01229 840150.