LOVE was in the air at The Stables Restaurant in Balloch as a Bellsmyre couple celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary.

And it was an evening to remember for happy couple Thomas and Catherine Stewart as they celebrated their big day with their family around them.

Tom, 81, said: "We knew about the meal but we didn't know anything about a presentation, it was quite a surprise!

"But we had a nice night.

"I was presented with a bottle of whisky and Catherine was presented with a bouquet of flowers, she was thrilled."

Tom and Catherine were married on September 11 1966 at Riverside Church, Dumbarton.

They knew each other from school but got to know each other at the Scout dances and by both playing badminton at Burroughs Badminton Club.

Tom worked in the Blackburn Factory.

Shortly after they were married he did two years National Service in the RAF, his training at Leuchars Air Base.

He was then based in St Andrews, returning at weekends and then finishing up in Cyprus.

On his return he worked for Burroughs in Dumbarton and Cumbernauld as a Draughtsman.

He then moved to Barr & Stroud Glasgow.

Catherine worked in the Blackburn and stayed there until she left to become a full time housewife and mother.

She returned to work when the family had grown up as a Typist with the former Strathclyde Regional Council.

The couple has four children - Alex, Linda, Helen and Karen who all live locally, they have 10 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren- with another one on the way- who they see regularly.

They have both enjoyed a long retirement, but earlier in their lives they were keen badminton players and golfers, both being members at Dumbarton Golf Club.

They have enjoyed seven cruises in total- with six of those being on board the prestigious QE2.

Tom said: "We went on the QE2 after I retired, we just decided to spend our money as opposed to keeping it."

Also on hand to celebrate their happy anniversary were Deputy Provost John Millar and Tom Finnigan Deputy Lieutenant (DL) who made the presentations.

When asked about the secret of a long and happy marriage Tom said: "We knew each other before we got together, so you could say it was a bit of a slow burn but the secret is to turn a deaf ear sometimes!"

Daughter Karen added: "My mum and dad are totally devoted to each other and have had a long and happy marriage."