A LOCHGELLY couple's secret of a long happy marriage is having a sense of humour and plenty of give and take.

Irene and Bill McLean, from Gardiner Street, were married on February 16 1957 at Macainsh Church and on Thursday celebrate their diamond wedding.

Said Bill: "We have had 60 good years wed and I would say that us having a good sense of humour has seen us get on well all of these years."

Irene added: "When you have a difference of opinion, and it happens, you need to have a bit of give and take."

Bill (83) started his working life as a plumber with the Co-op in Lochgelly but he went to night school and gained several qualifications which saw him go in Government employment in July 1963 at RAF Pitreavie when he was involved in the construction of the underground nerve centre which served the RAF and Royal Navy for decades.

He later was promoted and after a spell being based in Dunfermline went to Germany where he was involved in supervising the maintenance of camp buildings and married quarters.

After being posted back to Pitreavie he went to Edinburgh to work before retiring in 1992.

His main hobby for a number of years was supporting Dunfermline Athletic and he still looks out for the Pars' results.

Irene (82)worked in Lochgelly Co-op food department on leaving school and had six happy years there before she married and brought up the couple's daughter Jillian and son Douglas and they now have four grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren.

Bill and Irene will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary with a family lunch at the Garvock House, Dunfermline, on Sunday.