A PAIR of great-great-grandparents in York are today marking 60 years of marriage, surrounded by their loving family.

Thomas and Margaret Harrison, both 78, married on this day in 1954, at St Aelred's Church on Fifth Avenue, and have spent their entire lives working and raising their six children in York.

Daughter Julie said: "Mam and Dad met when Mam was walking down Melrosegate. Dad was standing outside the shops with his friends, and Mam tapped him up for a cigarette."

Thomas was serving in the Army at the time, but couple were married a few months later, and both went on the spend the working lives at some of York's best known industries - including Rowntree's and Terrys, the Yorkshire Evening Press, and the railway canteen on Leeman Road.

Sixty years later their family of five sons and one daughter, 18 grand children, nine great grandchildren, and even five month old great great grandson Toby, will all help them celebrate their happy marriage.

Julie added: "I think their secret is working together.

"They are very hard working - Dad is the only person I know who could go to an empty cupboard and make a meal out of nothing."

Family and friends will gather at the New York Social Club on Blossom Street on Saturday, to celebrate the couple's landmark anniversary.