A GOLDEN Largs couple were given a special surprise as they celebrated 50 years wed during lockdown.

Harvey and Marlyn Green had hoped for a big bash at Halkshill Bowling Club with family and friends to mark the occasion but there plans were foiled by coronavirus restrictions.

But daughter Heather made sure the landmark occasion didn't slip by by creating a secret reel of video messages and Zoom calls from family and friends.

Marlyn said: "We were supposed to be having a big party but because of the pandemic we had to put it on hold till next year.

"We had a big silver anniversary in the old sailing club in John Street with a wonderful ceilidh and we wanted to do something similar this time around, but it just wasn't possible.

"However Heather managed to contact all our friends on Facebook and got them all to make a video tribute. It was a lovely surprise."

The couple, who have been community volunteers in the town over many years, have served in various roles over many years including with the Round Table, RNLI, Guides, Clark Memorial and St John's churches. They have also volunteered with the Rotary, Largs Town Twinning group and helped at the Viking Festival.

Harvey was also a lifeboat crew member and Marlyn is still involved in fundraising activities for the RNLI.

It is also 50 years ago since the couple moved to Largs when Harvey joined brother Graham to take over Boag's Boatyard in Allanpark Street. Marlyn worked in Clydesdale Bank and Saxone, before opening up a popular greetings card shop at Largs Pierhead.

They met at a Scout dance in Glasgow in their teens, and love blossomed, with the couple married in South Shawlands Church.

Harvey said: "My brother Graham bought Willie Boag's boat yard and he asked whether I would come down from Glasgow to help him run it and that's been us ever since."

Harvey studied to be a Master Mariner, receiving a Masters certificate in navigation. Having served in the merchant navy, Harvey headed out to Saudi Arabia for three years in port operations and then returned home to become a marine surveyor.

Marlyn was one of the founder members of the popular Largs Yuletide event when it started over 30 years ago.

She recalled: "A whole crowd of females including myself decided that Largs should follow other towns in having a late night Christmas shopping night.

"The whole concept of the evening was not to make a profit but to thank the town for supporting traders.

Marlyn and daughter Heather also took on the running of the Viking Festival - and Heather went on to marry a Norseman.

Marlyn explained: "She got to know some of the Viking re-enactment groups and met Damian. They now live in Blackpool and have an 11-year-old daughter, Abigail."

Their son Alastair followed his father's interest in sailing and went on to take charge of the electronics and computer systems for the US America's Cup team, which is owned by billionaire Larry Ellison. Alastair and Susan live in Southampton and have two children Zoe, seven, and Ewan, four.