COWDENBEATH couple May and Jimmy Clark agree that 'a bit of give and take' is the secret of a successful marriage.

They will celebrate their diamond wedding on Saturday with a family event at the Sands Hotel, Burntisland, having reached their marriage milestone on Thursday.

Jimmy said: "A bit of give and take has really been the reason for our successful marriage."

May added: "You have to work at it, like anything else, and if you do you will be successful."

The Clarks, who have stayed in Smith Avenue for over 40 years, met at the Palais de Danse in Cowdenbeath in 1957.

Jimmy, is from Kelty originally, and May is Hill of Beath born and bred, and they tied the knot on February 6 1960 in Hill of Beath Church.

Jimmy did his National Service with the Gordon Highlanders, in Germany, but when he returned back to civvy street the couple got their first home in Perth Road, then had a spell in Copeland Crescent before moving to Smith Avenue in 1973.

Jimmy worked as a welder at Burntisland Shipyard, before joining Babcock and Wilcox where he was involved in the construction of Cockenzie and Longannet Power Stations.

He later was part of the Scottish Power Flying Squad repair team covering the whole of Scotland.

Before he retired be was back at Burntisland working on the construction of oil rigs.

Away from work Jimmy loved playing football when younger and was with amateur clubs Kelty Burnside, Kelty Our Boys and Burntisland Shipyard and latterly played for Hill of Beath in the Sunday League.

He still enjoys football and watches Hill of Beath Hawthorn and Kelty Hearts.

Jimmy started golfing in the early 70s and has been a longtime member of Lochgelly Golf Club and still plays three times a week, if he can.

May started her working life as a 'Saturday girl' at Woolworths, in Cowdenbeath, and when she left school worked at the Dunlop Factory in Dunfermline.

She also was several years with Reekie's Bakers, in Cowdenbeath, and latterly was at the VISA Centre, in Dunfermline.

May was not one for hobbies as she spent a lot of time initially looking after the couple's son and daughter and then her mum and dad as they got older.

They now have four grandchildren, and just three weeks ago their new great, grand-daughter came into the world making the weekend a bit of a double celebration.