Burnley couple who met at one of UK's first discos share secret to 60 years of wedded bliss

And it has certainly worked for them as they are celebrating their Diamond wedding anniversary.

They met at Joe Mort's dance venue in Accrington in 1957, is reputed to be one of the UK's first discos which introduced teenagers to the latest 'bop' music of the 50s from America.

Teenage sweethearts, Dorothy was 16 and Brian just three years older when they met at the venue which was the place where many of their friends also met their true loves.

One of 12 children, Dorothy, who hails from Padiham, was working in Higham and Brian, who is from Burnley was studying at Manchester University. After his graduation in 1959 Brian was called up to do National Service but before he left the couple got engaged.

After completing his training Brian spent the majority of his army career as an education sergeant in the Royal Army Educational Corps, attached to the Hereford base of the SAS. Weekends were spent travelling between Hereford and Burnley, either by bus or train, but Brian would often hitchhike as money was tight.

The couple, who live in Ightenhill, Burnley, married at St Leonard's Church in Padiham and held a reception at the Black Bull pub. Even though the pub was directly across the road from the church Dorothy insisted on having a taxi to pick them up from the church and drive the them to the pub entrance.

To show how times have changed, in today's money the Pomfrets spent £15 on a reception for 29 people, £4 on flowers and £2 on wine!

When Brian was demobbed his first civilian' job 'was to call at the Raymakers Velvet weaving mill in Padiham, which once stood where the Tesco store is now sited. And in the romantic style that pre-dated the famous scene from the film An Officer And A Gentleman Brian whisked Dorothy away off to start married life in their new cottage home in Stonemoor Bottom.

The couple, who have two children, Simon and Gina, a granddaughter Jessica and great grandson Alfie, emigrated to New Zealand in the 1970s but returned home to the UK where both made career changes.

Dorothy qualified and practised as a therapeutic counsellor and Brian replaced a successful career in teaching with one as a systems consultant in the computer industry.

They were delighted to received a telegram from the Queen to mark their landmark 60th anniversary and they are now making plans for Dorothy's 80th birthday next month.