TWO Scout leaders are celebrating a lifetime of marriage together with a diamond anniversary.

Hazel Waddington, a Girl Guide leader from Tyldesley, was making Valentine's Day cards with her group of youngsters when she bravely sent one to her opposite number — Scout leader, Alexander Waddington.

The pair had known each other since attending primary school at Tyldesley's Mission Primary School, but it was only years later after the exchange of cards when romance blossomed.

The pair went on their first cinema date in Southport in 1958 and were married just a year later in a 'great wedding' with 100 of their family and friends invited to join the celebrations.

The Waddingtons are now celebrating 60 years of marriage and family life.

Mr Waddington, 84, said: "We only lived a few minutes away from each other and we went to school together, but we never really met up until we went out on our first date.

"I remember seeing her at a dance and I used to say 'I like that young lady', but it was only 12 months later when the card came through."

After their wedding, the couple had two sons, Andrew and Stuart. Stuart sadly died as a young man and the pair dedicated the following years to fundraising in his memory. Mr Waddington completed marathons and even abseiled from Manchester Velodrome for The Christie Hospice, while Hazel raised money through needlework and jam-making.

Mr Waddington said: "I have always loved Hazel, as much as she has always loved me. We have always supported one another and have had a happy family — plenty of holidays."