WHEN 17-year-old Iris Brown, from Preston, was introduced to a handsome young man wearing his Royal Marines' uniform in Duns Square, she never imagined that more than 60 years later the pair would be celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary.

Jim Purves was home on leave from 42 Commando and the couple began dating and fell in love.

They got engaged in 1961 before tying the knot at the Manse Church in Duns on August 7, 1962.

Iris was 19 and working in the chemist in the town while Jim was 22 and stationed in Singapore from where he saw active duty in Borneo.

Nine months later their first daughter Carol was born and mother and daughter made the arduous journey to join Jim on the other side of the world.

After three happy years in Singapore, during which time their second daughter Pauline was born, the family returned home and after a spell in Plymouth, Jim found work initially as a labourer with Roxburgh County Council and subsequently as a supervisor.

The family moved to Newtown and then to Gledswood then back to Newton and finally in 2017 to Galashiels.

And on Sunday, the couple celebrated their anniversary with family at the Kingsknowes Hotel in the town.

Present were the couple’s two daughters, Carol with husband Roger and Pauline with husband Bruce, three grandchildren, Leanne with husband Pearse, Nicola with husband Barry and Mellisa, and seven great grandchildren, Taylor, Kian, Shay, Áine, Lacy and Layla and Logan. Jim’s two brothers Robert and Walter were also there with their wives Vera and Jan.

Iris said: “I wasn’t sure whether to bother but our granddaughter Leanne insisted, and she was really the big cog in the wheel.

“She organised the hotel and I’m glad she did because it was a lovely meal and a lovely day. Everyone had a great time.

“It really does take something special to get everyone together.”

When asked the secret of a long and happy marriage Iris said: “We are best friends as well as husband and wife. I’ve never had any regrets and would do it all again. You are not always in agreement about everything so you need a bit of give and take and learn to appreciate things.”

Jim said: “Every couple has to suffer ups and downs but I have no regrets either and I’d do it all again as well. And a wee dram now and again helps.”