LOVE blossomed in two Tyldesley families when sisters Edna and Bertha Goulbourne married brothers Henry and Bob Jones.

And this week Henry, aged 73, and Edna, aged 70, of Warwick Road, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

After attending the British School, the couple courted on the Elliott Street "monkey run" and married 50 years ago at St George's Church.

Former miner Henry retired from the carbon department at Sutcliffe Speakman, Leigh, and Edna spent 21 years in the can department at Barrs, in Atherton.

They have lived for 37 years in the same house and have one surviving son, Frank, aged 49.

Henry and Edna lost their second son, Kevin, at the age of 41, six years ago.

They also have three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, with a third on the way.

Edna said: "We have had happiness and tragedy, but the secret of our long marriage is being open with each other."

The couple celebrated with a buffet at son Frank's home.

Edna's sister Bertha has been a widow for more than 20 years.