A couple from Donaghadee have celebrated 60 years of marriage. Brian and Evelyn Knox marked their diamond wedding anniversary with family at The Manse in Cloughey and received a card from the King.

The couple, both aged 83, met as teenagers through Cooke Centenary Church in Belfast. Their first date took place under the former Ormeau Bakery clock. Evelyn Knox said the date went well enough that Brian walked her home.

The pair were leaders in the Girl Guides and Boys' Brigade at the church. They courted for seven years and married at Cooke Centenary Church on 13 August 1966.

Before the wedding, the Knoxes bought a house in Donaghadee and moved in after the ceremony. They were both raised in Belfast and have lived in Donaghadee since.

During their early relationship, Brian Knox studied architecture at Queen's University and Evelyn Knox worked as a bookkeeper for Norton Abrasives. They would cycle home together after his classes.

The couple have two daughters, Judith and Stephanie, and five grandchildren. Judith followed her father into the family architecture practice, while Stephanie became a teacher. Evelyn Knox said the family is now hoping for great-grandchildren.

Both Brian and Evelyn Knox served as County Down Commissioners for Scouting. They also participated in camping and caravanning with the Scouts and their family. In later years they have attended musicals and theatre performances.

The couple recently returned to work for about eight to ten weeks and plan to retire again. Brian Knox remains involved in the architecture practice, and Evelyn Knox continues to manage its books.

Evelyn Knox recalled that the photographer at their wedding had to borrow a camera after his son broke his own. The resulting wedding album photographs were not sharp.