A couple from Riddlesden celebrate 50 years of marriage tomorrow.

Joan first met Robert Knights at the tender age of 13 when they both attended an old time dance at Britannia Hall, now Morrisons, in Worth Way, Keighley. Bob's father, Harry, was the dance teacher and united the two shy teenagers when neither had a dance partner.

The pair met up again in 1947 when they were among 180 schoolchildren in Keighley invited to London as guests of Sir Bracewell Smith, the then Lord Mayor of London, who was a pupil-teacher from Keighley.

During their visit they toured London and dined in the main banqueting hall at the Mansion House.

On finishing school, Bob completed two years national service with the RAF. He and Joan then worked together at Peter Blacks.

They married at the former Holy Trinity Church, in Lawkholme Lane, on April 2, 1955.

In later years Bob set up his own specialist stationery business but retired early due to ill health. Joan became a supervisor at what is now St Mary's Primary School.

Bob, who dabbled in wedding photography, continued with his hobby after retirement and has produced the monthly United Reformed Church's men's forum picture quiz for 18 years.

Joan passes the time in her beloved garden.

The couple, of Scott Lane West, have a daughter, Susan, and son, David. They have three grandchildren -- Liam, Aidan and Georgia.

They will mark their golden wedding anniversary with friends and family but have no specific plans. "Our family have been up to celebrate every birthday and anniversary we've had but I think we've finished now at 50," said Joan, 71.

When asked the secret of their 50-year success, Bob, 72, joked: "I think Him up there doesn't want us."

He added: "We've had our ups and downs, but there have been more ups than downs."