A COUPLE from Trafford whose romance blossomed after they met up for cycle rides have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

Alice and Sidney Thomas courted for six years after Alice and a friend joined up with Sidney's pals for bike rides.

They were married at St Clement's Church, Longsight on September 3, 1932 and this week celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary.

An air raid warden during the Second World War, Mr Thomas witnessed air raids on Manchester and Liverpool. After the war he worked for Manchester City Council until his retirement in 1971.

Mrs Thomas made bandages for army hospitals during the conflict and was a school cook in the Wythenshawe area.

They lived in Wythenshawe from 1938, but moved to a bungalow in Urmston two years ago to be closer to their two daughters.

They took up old tyme and modern sequence dancing, which they took up in 1964 and continued to practice until their diamond wedding anniversary. They were regulars at dances at the Princess Rooms, Urmston, for many years.

Mr and Mrs Thomas are expecting a second telegram from the Queen, having received their first on the occasion of their diamond anniversary.

Ninety six year old Mr Thomas and Mrs Thomas, who is 92, lived there until September last year, when Mrs Thomas suffered a fall.

Sidney Thomas suffers from Parkinson's Disease and his wife's injuries meant she was no longer able to look after him. Mrs Thomas lives at the Ely Gardens Home in Urmston, while her husband is looked after at Beech House Nursing Home in Partington.