LOVE seems to be strong at the moment in West Dunbartonshire as another couple have celebrated a long and loving relationship.

Dumbarton's Ian and Rita Jamieson, both 89, celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary last Wednesday in a ceremony surrounded by friends and family.

The couple got hitched way back in 1956 in St Augustine's Church, Dumbarton, and spent their honeymoon in St Andrews.

They marked 60 years as a loving couple with a meal at the Abbotsford Hotel on Friday, September 16, before Provost John Millar surprised them bearing gifts at their home on their actual anniversary last Wednesday.

Their only daughter Allison Bell, 53, said the whole family was delighted to share in the special occasion.

She said: “The provost gave them some beautiful flowers and some special diamond anniversary Scotch so they were both really pleased.

“Sadly the bridesmaid from the wedding day passed away last year but my Dad's best man, Gordon Cameron, was there which was brilliant and there was a lot of the family from the local area.”

After Ian left school he worked in farms then worked for West of Scotland Excavations as a plant operator then later as a plant manager.

Rita worked at Blackburn Aircraft Factory until they got hitched and Ian retired from work 22 years ago.

Allison added: “Mum isn't very mobile now and she's got dementia so they don't tend to go away on trips or on holiday quite as much as they used to.

“When they do go on holiday it is mostly just in Scotland but they mainly enjoy being with family and friends, they just love it.”

One of the couple's favourite past-times is following the pipe bands around the country when they get a chance with Ian most recently attending Rothesay for a competition there in August.

Alison, who herself is happily married to her partner Julian, has gifted two grandchildren to the diamond couple, Craig, aged 27, and Rebecca, who is 21.

When posed the question of what she thinks it takes to live happily as a couple for over half a century, Allison admitted it's difficult to say.

She said: “Oh I don't know...I'd say their secret is just that they've been fortunate that they've lived a long, healthy, happy life together.”

Depute Provost of West Dunbartonshire, John Millar, who visited the couple of Wednesday, said:

“Ian and Rita are such a lovely couple and made my visit so warm and welcoming.

“With a great sense of humour, it's easy to see the love and affection they both have for each other; what a lovely afternoon I had with a very special couple.”