WELL-known Thirsk business couple Eric Pullan, 81, and his wife, Gene, 80, are celebrating 60 years of marriage.

The couple, who live at St Mary's Walk, both hail from Bradford but met in Thirsk when their families both set up businesses in the town

On leaving school Mr Pullan helped in the family fish and chip shop, run by his late father, John, in Millgate, up to 1965 when he turned his hobby of photography into a business for more than 20 years.

Mrs Pullan took over the running of Babyland, the Market Place shop belonging to her mother Gladys Bush, in 1936. She ran it until 1983.

Mr Pullan lost the sight in one eye while in the RAF in the First World War, but he became an accomplished golfer, becoming secretary of Thirsk and Northallerton Golf Club for 23 years. He still plays regularly with his wife, who has been lady's captain.

They have two daughters - Hilary, a deputy manager at a local doctor's surgery, and Jill, a partner in Luke Miller and Associates, estate agents in Thirsk.

They also have two grandsons and two granddaughters - the girls still living in America where their mother, Jill, spent 19 years - and three great-grandchildren.