IT WAS love at first sight for Keith and Maureen Barrington, who have just celebrated their golden wedding.

The Linthwaite couple met at a Christmas dance at Holmfirth Civic Hall and decided to marry just three weeks later.

Keith – who had been serving in the grenadier guards in Germany for eight years – left the army and the couple married at Linthwaite Church.

They first lived at Cross Street, Crosland Moor, before settling in Linthwaite.

They lived at Church Lane for four years, The Heights for 11 years and later moved to Broad Oak, where they still remain.

Keith joined the fire service after leaving the army and spent 18 years working at fire stations including Skelmanthorpe, Huddersfield and Slaithwaite.

He then ran his own business servicing fire extinguishers before ill health forced him to retire.

Maureen worked as a secretary for the Yorkshire Electricity Board and Kirklees Council. She also taught shorthand and typing at Colne Valley High School for eight years.

The couple have two children and four grandchildren.

They celebrated their anniversary with a party at Broad Oak Cricket Club.