A PAIR of teenage sweethearts have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

Great grandparents Bob and Lois Cooper first met back in 1951 at St Peter's Youth Club in Daubhill, when Mr Cooper was 17 and Mrs Cooper was 16.

The couple started dating properly in 1952 and got engaged in 1954 .

They got married at St Philip's C of E Church in Bridgeman Street on January 22, 1955, and their wedding reception featured pie, peas and pasty suppers — at 12 and a half pence per head.

Mr and Mrs Cooper lived in Bolton for most of their adult life, apart from a four-year absence in the 1960's and 70's, when they lived in Cleveleys near Blackpool.

Mr Cooper worked as a joiner in the building trade and Mrs Cooper worked for an engineering firm.

They have four children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Mr Cooper, aged 80, said: "Lois and I are very compatible — our love is as strong as ever. We enjoy each other's company and we both enjoy swimming.

"We've had our fallings out, but we've always got through them, and we have had a great group of friends over the years."

Mrs Cooper, aged 79, said: "It's great to reach 60 years with Bob. To still be together after all this time is a wonderful feeling.

"I wouldn't want to be with anybody else and I love Bob very much."

Mr and Mrs Cooper will celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary with family and friends at Rumworth Hall Club on Saturday January 24.