A FAMILY had a golden opportunity to celebrate 120 years of marriage with a party for two generations.

Whilst Smithills couple Paul and Georgina McCarren have notched up 50 years of wedded bliss, Paul's parents, wartime sweethearts Jim and Nellie McCarren are about to mark their platinum anniversary after tying the knot 70 years ago.

And at the weekend 70 members of the family, including many of Jim and Nellie's five children, 13 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren gathered at Chadwicks Close Farm, Smithills for a joint party.

Jim and Nellie, both 89, from Burnley, met at a roller skating rink in 1942 and married at Burnley Register Office on October 3 1945 shortly after World War II ended.

Jim, then aged 19, had yet to be demobbed from the Army after serving in Egypt and his mum saved ration coupons for a cake and food reception at her house before the couple enjoyed a day out in Blackpool for their honeymoon.

Clothing was still rationed too and so Nellie's dad even made the shoes for her wedding outfit.

After the war Jim took up a career as an upholsterer and the couple, with their growing family, moved to Broadstone Road, Bradshaw, in the early 1960s.

When the family returned to Burnley at the end of the decade, eldest son Paul stayed in Bolton, having married Georgina, who he had met at a local church youth club.

The couple, now aged 69, married at St Maxentius Church on August 21 1965, with Paul working as a plumber and Georgina as a machinist for Burtons before they started a family.

Their family all gathered round at the party to raise a glass to both couples.

"It was a lovely day," said Jim, who added that he had given his relatives a piece of advice for a successful marriage.

"If you want to live a long and happy life always agree with your wife!" he joked.