A COUPLE had the best diamond wedding present anyone could ask for - their first great grand-daughter.

Dennis and Ena Evans, of Woodbridge Close, St Peter's, Worcester, have something more than cards from well-wishers to mark their milestone.

Both said they were thrilled at the birth of their great grand-daughter Ella on Friday, March 27, the finest gift the couple could have wished for.

The couple, who celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary today, first met as children at Bromyard Road Methodist Church Sunday School.

Mrs Evans, aged 82, said: "We met when I was nine but he didn't ask me out until I was 20."

The couple were married on April 19, 1947, at St John's Methodist Church in Pump Street, Worcester, which is now no longer there.

Mr Evans, aged 83, who is qualified as an engineer, served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, maintaining Lancaster bomber engines. While stationed in Egypt he wrote to Ena asking her to marry him.

He worked at the Metal Box Company for 34 years, maintaining the machinery that fixed the lids on tins of fruit. The couple spent 17 years in Scotland from 1959 to 1976 after Mr Evans moved in the course of his work for the same company.

But they returned to Worcester, where Mr Evans was born and bred, to live in 1976.

A celebration is planned on Sunday for 46 friends and family at the Number 8 Community Arts Centre in Pershore High Street.

The couple have four children - John, Janet, Judith and Sheila - and seven grandchildren - Richard, Karen, Gail, Leanne, Marianne, Jennifer and Helen.

The couple hope to visit their great grand-daughter Ella, who was born in Glasgow, in May.