A HELSBY couple have received congratulations from the Queen for reaching their diamond wedding anniversary.

Tom and Margaret Farrell, of Bates Lane, met at Easter 1949 at the Stafford Hotel in Chester and, according to Tom, it was love at first sight.

To commemorate 60 years of marriage, Tom, 81 and Margaret, 80, received a message from the Queen.

Tom thanked his understanding wife for all the times he had to travel abroad when he worked for the Ford Motor Company.

He said: “We chose that my wife would stay at home and look after the children while I worked for a technicians company in Capenhurst, then I was at Ford where I had three management jobs.

“Throughout that time, my wife has done a marvellous job of raising the family and has been the main person who looked after their education and well-being.”

They celebrated with their two daughters, five grandchildren and 10-month-old great granddaughter.