JIMMY Young was at the top of the charts with Unchained Melody when Joan and John Hulse got married.

Sixty years on it was Jason Derulo with Want To Want Me who was flying high as the couple celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

Eighty-year-old Joan and 89-year-old John were both born and bred in Wharton and they tied the knot at Wharton Road Methodist Church on June 25, 1955.

Joan said: "The day went by very smoothly and without any hitches but it was terrible weather.

"It was wet and windy but we didn't let that bother us."

The couple, who have five children, 11 grandchildren and four great grandchildren – the latest addition being born just two weeks ago – marked the big day with a party for family and friends before heading off on holiday to Scarborough for a week.

Joan was a school secretary and did voluntary work looking after elderly people and their welfare as well as singing in the church choir and Town's Women's Guild Choir.

Now she is an avid watcher of tennis and snooker on television and loves listening to Andre Rieu in concert.

John was a member of the forces serving in Palestine before becoming a local government officer at Winsford Urban Council and deputy financial control officer at Vale Royal Borough Council until he retired in 1984.

Now he spends much of his time crown green bowling, winning trophies.

When asked what the secret is to a 60-year marriage John jokingly said it was 'giving in' but the couple agreed that it is 'always looking on the bright side of life'.