TWO childhood sweethearts are celebrating 60 years of love and marriage today.

Kirkby Lonsdale couple Russ and Maureen Taylor will be toasting their diamond anniversary with two special events - a champagne garden party for family and friends, and a garage sale to raise money for St John's Hospice, Lancaster.

The couple, aged 81 and 82, are long-time supporters of the hospice. They are hoping many people will come along to their bungalow at 4 Jubilee Close on Saturday, July 27, from 12.30pm to 4.30pm, to support the event.

Mr and Mrs Taylor tied the knot 60 years ago today at Eccles Parish Church, in Salford.

Romance first blossomed when they were 11 years old, then the sweethearts headed off to different secondary school.

Mr Taylor told the Gazette how he bumped into his wife-to-be years later, in their teens, recalling: "I was just getting on the number 67 bus and I saw these legs going upstairs and this girl in a blue skirt with white dots on it; so I followed her upstairs and there was Maureen."

After school Mr Taylor served in the RAF in Germany. The couple married on his 21st birthday, in 1959, and they flew from Blackpool airport for a honeymoon on the Isle of Man.

The pair spent many years living in Salford, with Mrs Taylor working as a shorthand typist and secretary, and Mr Taylor working his way up from factory tea boy to warehouse manager for a specialist plumbing company.

He built two family homes and set up a decorating company with son David. The couple also have a daughter, Helen, and two grandsons.

The Taylors later moved to Whelprigg Lodge Barbon, where they spent 13 happy and busy years.

As keen supporters of community life, they have been closely involved with the church, Barbon Village Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale British Legion, the WI, meals on wheels and Barbon Flower Show, which is taking place August 10 this year.

Paying a warm tribute to his wife, Mr Taylor said the secret to their marriage was "probably tenacity".

"We love each other," he said. "We've had ups and downs, but if you love one another you get through it."