And joining them at their home in Larkhall to help them celebrate their Diamond Wedding Anniversary was South Lanarkshire Provost Margaret Cooper, who presented the couple with flowers and a certificate on behalf of the council.

And Deputy Lieutenant for Lanarkshire Linda McDowall was also on hand to present them with a certificate from The King and The Queen Consort to mark their achievement.

And when asked what was the secret to their long marriage, George immediately said: “Happy Wife, Happy Life.”

George was born and grew up in Hamilton and worked as a travelling salesman.

At his 21st birthday party at home in Hardie Street he first met Maureen, from Netherton in Wishaw, who was working at the Phillips factory at the time.

It didn’t take long for them to decide they were made for each other as only six weeks later, on 31 March 1965, they got married in St Margaret’s Church in Muirhouse, Motherwell.

They moved to Burnbank in Hamilton after they got married then moved to Back Row in the town.

They had an ice cream van and shop in Whitehill while they were raising their five children, Maureen, Billy, Helen, Heather and Margaret.

Geroge later worked for the Co-operative Insurance and Maureen was an auxiliary nurse.

The couple worked hard and bought a caravan and at weekends and holidays the family would spend happy times at Southerness Caravan Park, Dumfries.

They moved to Larkhall more than 30 years ago and are now blessed with 11 grandchildren, Maureen, Kayleigh, William, Mathew, George, Lauren, Abbie, Callum, William Bailey and Lake, and four great grandchildren, Jack, Sammy, Remi and Calvin.

If you would like the Provost to attend a Diamond Wedding or 100th birthday please get in touch with the Provost’s Office.