A couple celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary at Park Lane care home with a wonderful cake made by the home's chef.

Park Lane resident Vera and her husband Ronnie Bowman, who still lives in their Congleton apartment, agreed the secret to their long, happy relationship was "loving and supporting each other through good times and bad and keeping the flame burning".

The couple, both 89, grew up in Burnley and met on a night out at Blackpool Tower Ballroom.

Vera was dancing with a friend when her blonde hair caught Ronnie's attention; he said to his mate, "See that blonde woman, I'm going to marry her."

Vera was attracted to Ronnie's dark hair and eyes and their courtship quickly blossomed; after a year they became engaged and a year later they wed.

Ronnie became an aircraft engineer in the RAF while his wife worked as a cotton weaver and raised their three children, Janet, Jon and Mark.

The couple have always loved country walks and retained their passion for ballroom dancing.

In later life they moved from Burnley to Congleton.

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They are proud to have six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.