Soulmates from Greenock are still sparkling after 60 years of wedded bliss

Jim and Jean Webster from Robertson Street say their love for each other is stronger than ever after they celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

The devoted couple say they've loved every minute of growing old together.

Jean, originally from Gibshill, said: "Jim has been a good husband.

"I could always rely on him.

"It's lovely to celebrate our diamond wedding anniversary."

Jim, 85, who is originally from Port Glasgow and was a well known football referee, and Jean, 81, first set eyes on each other at the Cragburn dance hall in Gourock.

Jean said: "I remember when Jim came over and asked me to dance.

"He was a good dancer.

"Back then you went to the dancing for the dancing.

"There was no drink, you would just have a cup of tea or a lemonade.

"It was great."

Romance soon blossomed for the pair and they tied the knot on July 2 in 1958 at St John's Church in Port Glasgow.

Jean said: "It was a lovely day.

"I remember it was a task to be be up and ready for 10am.

"Jim's brother was his best man and my friend was my bridesmaid.

"In those days you went home after the ceremony and had a breakfast in the house for the immediate guests and then you would have a reception at night.

"We had ours in the Boys' Brigade hall in Balfour Street.

"It was a good wee night and we went on honeymoon to Bray in Ireland."

After their wedding, the couple settled in the Port's Glenburn Street where they lived for 10 years before moving to Oronsay Avenue, Islay Avenue and most recently Robertson Street in Greenock.

One memory which the couple remember vividly is the huge storm which hit the area in 1968.

Jean said: "The storm happened in January while we were living in Glenburn Street and in March we were suddenly told that we had to move out because of the damage.

"At the time I was pregnant with Alison and I went into labour on the day we were moving out.

"I was in labour at the Rankin Hospital while Jim had to do a flit - he still managed to make it to the hospital though."

Jim, who was in the Army and later worked in Kincaid's, and Jean, who worked in Co-op shop in Port Glasgow, went on to have six children, Jim, 58, Charles, 57, Geraldine Ogilby, 54, Alison Houten, 50, Andrew, 40, who lives in Canada and Fiona Boualam, 36.

Alison, who lives in Ireland, says she is indebted to her parents for their support when her husband Craig took seriously unwell.

She said: "Craig had a stroke and spent five and a half months on a ventilator in hospital and had to learn to walk and talk again.

"During that time my youngest son was born and my mum came out to Ireland to live with us to look after our children.

"My mum and dad both came over and my mum stayed for about nine months, they were amazing."

Jim and Jean have both stayed active and Jim even took up work again at the age of 67 working at Co-operative Funeral Directors until he was 76.

Jean has also kept herself busy and has enjoyed giving up her time to help out at the Ardgowan Hospice charity shop in Port Glasgow.

The couple say they are so proud of their family.

Jean said: "Charles has just retired from the police after 30 years and Andrew is out in Canada working as an engineer while Fiona is working as a teacher in Alloa.

"Jim works in the tech industry and Geraldine is the depute head at St Patrick's and Alison is a nurse in Donegal."

Geraldine says her parents encouraged them all to follow their dreams.

She said: "When we were growing up they made us believe we could do anything and be anything we wanted to be."

Jean and Jim, who also have 13 grandchildren with another on the way and three great grandchildren, celebrated their special day with afternoon tea at St Patrick's Church hall and a family meal at Kip Marina in Inverkip.