A DIAMOND couple are still sparkling after 60 years of wedded bliss.

Gourock lovebirds Ann and Donald Taylor tied the knot after a whirlwind romance.

They married in Cove just months after meeting on Kilcreggan Pier.

Ann, 78, said: “I was giving my wee brother a row and Donald stopped and said that I shouldn’t be doing that — and then asked me out on a date.”

Ann hails from South Shields but her family had moved to Kilcreggan through her father’s job tending nursery gardens next to St Helen’s House Hotel.

Donald, 86, a retired slater, is Gourock born and bred and the newlyweds quickly settled into their first house in Darroch Drive.

The pair hit it off straight away and Ann says she was attracted to Donald’s sense of fun.

She said: “He’s good-natured and full of carry-on. We just wanted to be together.”

Donald says it was love at first sight for him.

Their daughter Janette added: “Mum is the boss, what she says goes and dad just lets her do what she wants. 

“They got mugs from a friend for their anniversary and they say Mr Right and Mrs Always Right, that sums them up.”

The couple, who have lived in their current home in Iona Crescent for 48 years, have shared many happy years together but have come through some hard times too.

They were blessed with five children, Malcolm, 58, the late Donald and Sharon, Janette, 53, and Bobby, 52.

Tragically they lost Donald when he was only 22 after he was knocked down and killed and their daughter Sharon passed away six years ago.

They also lost beloved granddaughter Jade when she was only 14.

But they take comfort in their nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and are looking forward to welcoming another great-grandchild in the family.

She said: “It has made us stronger.

“I think the grandchildren have helped.

“We only had one granddaughter, Debi, when Donald died and she was only nine months old.”

The special couple celebrated the magic milestone with family and friends at a bash at the Royalle Club and have been inundated with cards, presents and good wishes.

After the party they released balloons in memory of Donald, Sharon and Jade.

Ann said: “I never thought we would reach our 50th wedding anniversary, never mind our 60th.

“You’ve got to give and take. You take the good with the bad and always try to work at it.”

Janette said: “They’ve worked hard at their marriage and supported each other through good and bad.

“They have been great parents and the house is always full of family. Family is very important to them.”