AN unexpected knock on the door isn’t always good news, but for one couple it was the perfect way to mark a landmark anniversary.

John, 70, and Maureen, 68, McDonough were shocked when Provost William Hendrie appeared with a surprise bouquet of flowers last week in celebration of their golden wedding anniversary.

The gift had been arranged by the sister and brother-in-law of the Renton couple and was a complete shock to the pair.

John and Maureen met in unusual circumstances more than 50 years ago in Balloch’s Arcari’s dance hall when they were in their teens.

Originally from Barrhead, it was John’s passion for fishing that took him to the town where he spent many a day trying to nab the perfect catch.

And less than three years later, he did as the pair wed in St Kessog’s Chapel on September 14, 1968.

Maureen said: “I remember the day so well. I’ll always remember what the priest said to John: ‘You came to Alexandria to fish and you ended up catching Maureen’.

“Two sons, one daughter, and seven grandchildren later, and it’s safe to say John finally found the perfect catch.”

The pair worked together at Polaroid for many years, before John moved on to Chivas in Paisley and Maureen spent her latter years with the Credit Union in Alexandria.

As well as the surprise flowers from the provost, they celebrated their anniversary by holidaying in Mallorca, where Maureen revealed John had a surprise up his sleeve.

She said: “On the night of our anniversary, we had a wonderful dinner. John presented me with a lovely ring, which was such a wonderful surprise.

“He’s been full of surprises during our marriage and is always buying me flowers.”

In their retirement, the pair spend most of their time looking after their grandchildren and travelling. John still loves to fish.

Maureen added: “It’s all about trust and loving one another. You need to be good to each other, and a wee surprise now and then helps.

“John is a very patient person. But, when I start yapping, he can switch off and just let me go for it.”