A COUPLE'S holiday romance stood the test of time as they prepare to celebrate their diamond wedding - in self isolation.
Jim and Eileen Rankin have had to put their family celebration on hold but say the event has only been postponed, with a big party planned once the Covid-19 outbreak is over.
The Largs couple married 60 years ago on April 2, three years after meeting in Blackpool.
Jim met Eileen at the famous pleasure beach in 1957 and say their love is greater than ever.
Jim, 81, laughed: "You usually hear that holiday romances never - last but we are still together over 60 years later.
"We met at the rocket rides, which is the oldest ride on Blackpool beach and recently celebrated its 150th anniversary.
"We won't be going back on them any time soon though at our age!"
Jim was a painter and decorator while Eileen was a hairdresser and they moved to the town not long after getting married.
Jim provided bearings for cars and electric motors before getting a diploma in community education when he turned 40.
The couple moved to Largs in the late 1980s and Jim became the house manager at Homemount House residential complex in Largs.
He is very familiar to people at the Cameron Centre where he is on the committee and has also been an elder at St Columba's Parish Church for 12 years.
Eileen, 81, has also been heavily involved in the Cameron Centre setting up the KIT (Keep in Touch) club.
Asked for the secret of their long marriage, Jim simply answered: "Like the Beatles song, all you need is love."
The couple are also embracing new technology during self isolation to help celebrate their big day.
Jim said: "We have been doing video chats with the family which have been a great help to keep us going."
They have two grown up sons and a daughter, as well as seven grand-daughters and seven great grandchildren.
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