IT was truly a golden day yesterday for 185 Scots couples -– all of whom were celebrating a special wedding anniversary.

The couples were all married in 1965 and they were guests of honour at a tea dance at Motherwell Concert Hall.

The event was hosted jointly by North and South Lanarkshire councils, and the happy couples danced the afternoon away as they reminisced about their big day half a century ago.

One couple who were delighted to take part were Tom and Carmel Turner, who mark their own golden wedding today.

“It was a first-class event, with a lovely meal and entertainment,” said Tom, 71.

The couple first set eyes on each other in Motherwell. “Carmel was working as a nurse in Dublin at the time, and I went over there to meet her again,” said Tom.

“She came back over from Ireland and once she had finished her training, we got married in Motherwell, on September 25 1965.”

The couple have two children – Damian, a chartered accountant in Carfin, and Lara, a manager with Pizza Hut – and four grandchildren.

Asked if it had been a happy 50 years, Tom laughed and said: “Don’t ask Mrs Turner about that – but I think it’s been 50 very good years.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it and I would do it again – but I don’t think my wife would, somehow!”

Carmel, who spent 37 years working as a nurse, described the tea dance as “absolutely fantastic, with a great atmosphere”. She added: “We’ve had our ups and downs, of course, but we are used to each other, and we’re happy. So I tolerate him – and he tolerates me! That is the truth. That is how it works.”

Her four grandchildren – “cherubs” – are “keeping us young”, Carmel added.

The Turners are throwing a party tomorrow night for 120 people, some of whom are coming from Australia and Ireland. “It’s in the same hall we had our wedding reception in, at St Bernadette’s in north Motherwell,” added Carmel.

Jim Robertson, Provost of North Lanarkshire, said: “Golden weddings are very special occasions and bring back so many happy memories for people.

“Things have changed so much since 1965, when most couples might have met at the ‘dancing’, but the one thing which has endured is their lasting commitment to each other.

“To reach this milestone in their married life is remarkable and I congratulate each and every couple on the dedication they have shown to one another.”

As well as being treated to musical hits from the 60s, the couples enjoyed an afternoon tea and had pictures of their own special big day being beamed onto a giant screen in the concert hall. They were presented with a commemorative gift and had their photographs taken.

South Lanarkshire Provost Eileen Logan added: “For all these couples to have tied the knot 50 years ago is a wonderful achievement and it is only fitting we get together to celebrate.

“This party is a small token of our appreciation to mark the last 50 years the couples have had together – and long may they continue.”