LAUGHTER is the key to a long and happy marriage, according to a Bewdley couple celebrating their diamond wedding today.

Stanley and Eileen Kirkbright, of Gardener's Meadow, met as teenagers during the Second World War and said they had never been closer than they are now.

They explained they had always been close - having worked together running an assessment centre for children due to appear in court - but put the strengthening of their relationship down to Mrs Kirkbright becoming blind unexpectedly around seven years ago and coming to rely on her husband as a carer.

When the 79-year-old lost her sight after an eye haemorrhage, Mr Kirkbright learnt to cook and clean - despite having only ever cooked before over an open fire while working as a Venture Scout leader.

Mrs Kirkbright, who also worked in the Scouts as a Cub leader, said: "We've had our ups and downs over 60 years but he's been a good husband ... our sense of humour has kept us going and, luckily, our family is the same and we're all fairly close."

The couple moved to Bewdley from Solihull after Mr Kirkbright retired in 1991.

They fell in love with the Wyre Forest town during regular visits on the narrowboat they owned for 14 years, which they replaced with a caravan in the town.

The pair will toast their diamond date on Sunday at a family get-together with their three children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.