TWO inseparable soulmates from Greenock are still sparkling after 60 years of wedded bliss.

Rita and John Branchfield from Cawdor Crescent say their love for each other is stronger than ever as they prepare to celebrate their diamond wedding on Sunday.

The devoted couple received an early anniversary surprise when they were joined by local dignitaries and their family and friends who presented them with a special card from Her Majesty the Queen.

Rita said: “It’s a lovely surprise to receive this card from the Queen.

“It feels good to be celebrating our diamond wedding.

“I would say we are soulmates.

“We do everything together.”

John added: “We understand one another, we don’t hide anything from one another.

“We never go anywhere without each other.”

Rita and John, who are both 85, first set eyes on each other when they were at the funfair back when they were in their early 20s.

Rita said: “John had a pal who wanted to get to know my pal.

“So that is how we got to know one another and started dating.”

John also remembers it well.

He said: “At first we went out as a foursome, with my mate and Rita’s mate.

“But our friends finished up and me and Rita kept on dating.”

Romance soon blossomed and even when John moved away with the army, the couple’s bond remained unbreakable.

John said: “I joined the army for two years as part of national service, was based in Wales and then finished up in Germany.

“After I came out the army, I met Rita again and the rest is history.”

The couple tied the knot at home on March 5 1957.

John said: “It was a wee house wedding, Father O’Neil from St Andrew’s Church married us.

“After the wedding me and Rita went up to Glasgow to see a show and when we came back to the house, the party was still going on.

“Everyone was still celebrating.”

John, who worked in the shipyards and offshore on oil rigs, and Rita went on to have five children.

Over the years, the couple were devoted to bringing up their children and Rita was also there to support John when he lost a close friend in the Piper Alpha disaster in 1988.

John said: “I worked on Piper Alpha for six and a half years.

“Six months after I left that job, the disaster happened.

“Sadly one of my close friends died.”

The couple, who have 10 grandchildren and five great grandchildren, are both very active and enjoy going to the Celtic Supporters’ Club every Saturday night.

Rita also impresses her grandchildren with her taste in music.

She said: “I like Coldplay, Robbie Williams, The Killers, Rod Stewart and Queen.”

The couple’s daughter Marion Swinney said: “My parents are very active and have a better social life than me!”

Her sister Diane Docherty added: “They are very supportive and have always been there for us.”

John surprised Rita with a beautiful eternity ring and wedding band for the magical milestone and Rita and John are planning a holiday to Lanzarote with their daughters to renew their vows.

Inverclyde’s Provost Robert Moran visited the couple alongside deputy Lord Lieutenant Dr Peter Semple, who presented the couple with a special card from the Queen.

Provost Moran said: “Me and John both worked in the shipyards and worked offshore.

“Both of us knew people who lost their lives on Piper Alpha.

“It’s a great honour to be invited to celebrate with Rita and John.”