A RAMSBOTTOM care home was rockin and rollin this week as two residents celebrated their 60-year marriage in true 1950s street party style.

Bill and Margaret Jones, who are both residents at Lavender Hills care home, married at St John's Church in Shuttleworth in 1958 aged just 22 and 25.

Born in Ramsbottom the couple met when Bill was a milkman and Margaret was working as a secretary.

The pair lived all their lives in the village, going on to have two children Sue and Michael, and two grandchildren, Rachel and Jack.

Both longstanding pillars of the community, Bill served on Ramsbottom Rotary Club for many years, and Margaret was a member of the Inner Wheel Club.

To mark their diamond anniversary the couple, who still hold hands everyday, were joined by residents, staff and guests for a nostalgic celebration in the style of a 1950s street party.

Partygoers all dressed in 1950s apparel, with women donning petticoats, headscarves and pink rollers and men sporting Union Jack top hats and greaser fashions, before enjoying a 1950s buffet with food researched and prepared by the home's in-house chef.

They were then entertained by special guest singers, Vintage Pearls, who sang vintage and wartime era songs, as well as putting a retro spin on some more modern favourites.

In an unexpected twist, the couple were presented with a surprise telegram from The Queen, expressing her congratulations, as well as a picture gilded with golden rope.

They also received many cards congratulating them on their special milestone, including one from Rossendale MP Jake Berry.

Margaret said: “It was amazing celebrating our diamond wedding, and we loved the letter from Buckingham palace as well as the letter from Jake Berry our local MP.”

Sue Appleby, the couples daughter added: “It’s absolutely fabulous, the staff have made a huge effort and it has made my mum and dad’s day. The effort that has gone in to today is amazing.”

Helen Inman the Manager at Lavender Hills said: “It’s a pleasure to have Bill and Margaret as part of the family at Lavender Hills, they’re amazing people and I have loved seeing them enjoy every minute of today.”

And senior carer, Jackie Booth, who helped to organise the event, added: “I am so pleased. All the staff have come in today dressed up in 1950’s clothes and just made today spectacular, even better than I imagined and I love seeing the residents dancing.”