THEY have been sweathearts for 75 years . . .

Now John and Jessie Moores have emerged as Bolton's front-runners in a competition to find Greater Manchester's longest-married couple.

Energy company E.ON has organised the search and the couple, both aged 91, of Culross Avenue, Ladybridge, will celebrate their 70th anniversary - their platinum wedding - in March.

They met when they were just 16, when they both worked at the Gilnow cotton mill in Bolton.

Soon afterwards, the youngsters began courting, despite Mr Moores' parents worrying they were too young.

They married in 1938, aged 21, at Deane Methodist Church, which has now been demolished, and celebrated with 14 guests at the Co-op in Bridge Street, Bolton.

When asked about the secret of their success as a couple, Mrs Moores said: "We've had a very happy marriage but we've had our ups and downs, everyone does. You can't agree all the time."

Her husband added: "You have to put any disagreements behind you and not bear a grudge."

Mr and Mrs Moores have one son, David, aged 64, three granddaughters and three great-grandchildren.

They have always lived in Bolton, apart from a brief spell in Coventry during the war. They returned to their home town when the city was bombed.

Their son got in touch after reading in The Bolton News last month about Colin and Mildred Hamer, from Smithills, who have celebrated 67 years of marriage.

Nigel Blower, of Leinster Street, Farnworth, also contacted us to say his grandparents, John and Clarice Crowder, had been married 68 years.

Mr and Mrs Crowder, aged 91 and 88, have always lived in Farnworth and have been in their house in Plodder Lane since 1946.

They have five children, 10 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren, with two more due shortly.

The search for the longest-married couple has been organised to promote Staywarm, E.ON's fixed-price energy scheme run for people over 60.

The winning pair from Greater Manchester will be treated to a party for their family and friends and will also be put forward for a national competition.

People who want to enter the competition can call 0800 068 7302 before January 31.

The winning couple will be announced in February.