THEY met at a Huddersfield Town Hall dance – but then got separated.

They met again by chance a short time later and now, Derek and Lily Mansfield are celebrating their diamond wedding.

And they have received a telegram from the Queen.

The couple, of Quarmby Road, Paddock, celebrated with a family party at Paddock Conservative Club.

Mr Mansfield, 82, worked as a warp twister at the Joseph Hoyle mill in Longwood. His wife worked as a warper in another mill in Quarmby and the couple, who had first met at the dance, met again purely by chance.

“I had been sent down there on an errand and bumped into Lily”, said Mr Mansfield.

They married at Longwood Methodist Church.

Mr Mansfield was a keen footballer in his younger days, playing with Lockwood, Berry Brow Meths and Sunny Bank Rangers. He later became a referee and then an assistant manager with Huddersfield YMCA and Bay Athletic.

Both he and his 81-year-old wife are bowlers.

The couple have two children, six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.