FOR York couple Albert and Elsie Pearson, celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary has special significance.

The couple, from Melton Avenue, Clifton, were unable to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary because Albert was rushed into hospital with severe angina.

This time round the couple were not letting anything get in their way, enjoying their diamond wedding yesterday, and preparing for a big celebration at the weekend with their sons and seven grandchildren.

The couple met during the Second World War and became pen pals, eventually marrying at St Laurence's Church, York, in 1942.

Albert, 84, who is from York, has suffered heart trouble for many years and has even undergone bypass surgery.

He was discharged from the Royal Navy for health reasons and after various jobs, including a stint on the ferries and on a production line at an aircraft factory, he settled at the Post Office in York, where he stayed for 30 years.

Elsie, 85, who was originally from Sheffield but moved to York to be married, also worked at an office in the city before having two sons, David and Adrian.

Albert said they had gone through some difficult times with his health, but Elsie had always helped him through.

He said: "The golden wedding anniversary never took place, but I promised my good lady that one day we would celebrate our diamond wedding.

"The past ten years have treated me reasonably well, while my wife, my pillar of strength, has been very fit.

"I have been so fortunate in meeting a girl so warm and caring and together, with love, loyalty and dedication, our marriage has been a great success."

Elsie said she was thrilled to be celebrating the special day.

She said: "Sixty years is a long time, we have done well haven't we?

"It is very important to support each other, we managed it and we are very happy. We have always been very close."

Updated: 10:26 Friday, January 25, 2002