FROM Suez to Sydney, Eric Ives kept his sweetheart's picture in his breast pocket as he fought with the Royal Navy during the Second World War.

And he has kept that same photograph of wife Ada in his wallet ever since as the couple celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary today.

The pair, who started out as pen pals writing letters to each other during the war, have clocked up 60 years of marriage.

And even now Eric, 79, carries the treasured photo of Ada, 80, with him at all times, next to his heart - in his inside jacket pocket.

He said: "I got the photo just before I went abroad with the navy. It has been around the world with me.

"Where I have been the photo's been."

The couple, of Merlin Court, in Keighley, only met through Ada's close friend Margaret, who asked her man to fix Ada up with a pen pal. Two years later, after hundreds of letters, they were married at Ingrow Church, in 1947.

Ada said: "I met him outside the Odeon, in Bradford, for the first time. I thought he was OK. He was tall and slim with dark hair. Marriage is all about a bit of give and take. We have had our fall outs but we always make up and we look after each other. We have had a good life."

Unbeknown to Ada and Eric they had also been childhood playmates, through family relations.

Born in Keighley, mill worker Ada moved to Guiseley to be with Eric when they got married, but six years later they came back to Keighley, where they have lived ever since.

Eric worked at a variety of places, including Avro, manufacturing aircraft, and as a police constable in Guiseley. His advice for a happy marriage includes "never let the sun go down on an argument" and he admired Ada's feisty nature and strong will.

* Have you kept a treasured possession with you for a longer period of time? Let the Keighley News know by calling on 01535 606611.