PARTNERS on the dance floor who became partners for life are enjoying a “sparkling” occasion today.

For Bury couple Bernard and Lorna Davies are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary. Two large family gatherings are planned to mark their big day.

Lorna was raised in Sheffield while husband Bernard hails from Crumpsall. They met on the dancefloor at Belle Vue in Manchester and were later married at St Mary’s Church, Crumpsall, on July 31, 1954.

The couple, of Middleton Drive, have two children, Lynn and Alan, and four grandchildren, Joanne, Christopher, Paul and Stephen.

Bernard ran his own shoes and leather goods business in Bury Old Road, Prestwich, for about 50 years before retiring 20 years ago.

The husband and wife are still keen ballroom and sequence dancers and take to the dancefloor every week.

They also enjoy walking and complete between six and seven miles on each outing.

On the secret of such a long and successful marriage, Lorna said: “You’ve really got to pull together and get on with married life. There may be ups and downs, but we’ve managed to make it work.”