Gran who was mugged while out shopping recovers as she celebrates diamond wedding

Eighty-year-old Isabel Lawson's robbery shocked the local community after she was confronted in the street by a masked man, bravely putting up a struggle before he made off with her handbag.

After the horrific ordeal, Isabel - who escaped unhurt but was left badly shaken - was showered with flowers and cards from concerned neighbours, residents, friends and family

Two months on she has 60 good reasons to celebrate with her husband William, a retired shipyard worker.

Isabel, who lives with William in the Bardrainney area, said: "We did get a terrible fright.

"I have always felt safe before but I don't like going out on my own now.

"But after it happened the house was full of flowers and cards.

"It was lovely.

"It is nice to now have our diamond wedding and something to celebrate with all our family."

William and Isabel have had to put most of their party plans on ice due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

On their anniversary they were congratulated by their son David, 58, and daughters Sharon, 56, and Carol, 54, plus their seven grandchildren.

Isabel added: "It has been a bit different this year with Covid-19.

"We can't have a party and we were going to go away on a cruise but that obviously can't happen just now."

Isabel says she and her husband remain as happy together as they were when they met.

She told the Tele: "We have had 60 happy years together with a lovely family.

"We have had such a happy life and I couldn't ask for any more."

William and Isabel were married on October 7 in 1960 in St Martin's Church, after meeting at the Paisley Ice Rink.

But it was touch and go whether the ceremony would go ahead on that date.

William came close to missing his own wedding after he was called up for National Service.

He had to plead with his superiors in the Royal Artillery to get home.

William added: "We were down in Wales and I nearly didn't get the time off.

"I was let out of camp in the middle of nowhere on Wednesday afternoon and was running down the road to get to the train station.

"A young couple stopped and gave me a lift.

"I made it home on on time but we weren't able to get a honeymoon because I was told be back by 6am on the Monday morning."

Former Playtex worker Isabel, from Greenock, and William, who was a plater in East Yard, set up home in Port Glasgow where they raised their family.

It was a time full of happy memories and some dramas along the way.

William said: "I had to deliver our daughter Sharon myself.

"Isabel went into labour and I ran to the phone box to get the nurses.

"I came back but it took them ages to come.

"They'd gone to Ardgowan Street in Greenock instead.

"Eventually they came, the nurse took over and I was sent to put the kettle on."

The couple, who hope to get on their anniversary cruise at some point in the future, would like to thank all their friends and family for their good wishes.