GOLDEN couple Bert and Barbara Burrows are planning a trip to Australia to celebrate half a century of marriage.

The couple, of Carrwood Hey, Ramsbottom, marked their 50th wedding anniversary with a family trip to Dorset.

They were married at St Joseph’s RC Church, Ramsbottom, on August 22, 1959, after meeting as employees at Crompton’s Paper Mill in Stubbins.

Their working relationship only lasted for a week as Mrs Burrows joined textile firm Porritt and Spencer in Stubbins.

They were reunited a few months later when Mr Burrows moved to the company, where he spent 32 years in senior office management before his retirement.

They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with a trip to the New Forest and Bournemouth to visit their daughter Carole and three grandchildren.

They are now planning their sixth trip to Australia to visit their two sons, Paul and Philip, and five grandchildren in Melbourne.

Mrs Burrows, aged 72, enjoys line dancing, walking and helping in St Joseph’s parish work.

Mr Burrows, aged 73, played cricket for Ramsbottom Cricket Club in the 1950s and 60s as well as football in Bury’s Sunday and amateur leagues.

He now enjoys golf, walking, DIY, and plays saxophone in the veteran musicians 15-piece swing band Nostalgia, which meets at the Royal British Legion Club in Ramsbottom.

Mr Burrows said: “It was a very good celebration. We would have liked all the family from Australia to be there but we will carry on celebrating in the sunshine when we visit them.”