COMMUNICATION is key to a long and happy marriage, according to a Bolton couple who are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary today.

Eddie and Evelyn Hicks, from Horwich, got married on October 22 1966 in Horwich Parish Church and tonight, 50 years later, they will celebrate the milestone with over 100 guests – family and friends – at the Horwich RMI club in Ramsbottom Road.

Mr Hicks, aged 70, said there is no secret to a long and happy marriage other than communicating with each other properly.

“I think the biggest thing is making sure you talk about your problems and help each other deal with them.

“We have always supported each other and been there for each other.

"We're both really looking forward to celebrating with everyone, and it will be really nice that some people will be there who were at the wedding all those years ago."

The retired construction site manager and business owner added that their greatest achievement was raising their three daughters – Jemma, Kerry and Sara – and having four grandchildren – Ciaran, Alex, Olivia and Joshua – with a fifth on the way.

He added they were also proud of coming from having very little money when they married to owning their own home and having a happy family life.

The pair also regularly travel abroad. They recently travelled to South Africa and New York and spend about 12 weeks each year in the Spanish island of Tenerife, which is reward for the hard graft they put in during their working lives.

Mr Hicks is a joiner by trade but worked in construction for much of his life and ran his own company for several years before retiring at 67.

Mrs Hicks, aged 69, worked as a cleaner and for many years as a childminder.

“We worked very hard to get where we are today, so it’s nice to be able to relax and enjoy what we have got now,” added Mr Hicks.

The couple met at the height of Beatlemania on Halloween in 1964 at a music night in the cellar of Horwich Conservative Club and have never looked back.

Mr and Mrs Hicks have asked family and friends to make a donation to Bolton Hospice, rather than buying them presents.