More than 100 people gathered at City Chambers yesterday for an afternoon tea dance for couples living in Glasgow who married in 1952, the same year as the Queen's accession to the throne.

Lord Provost, Councillor Sadie Docherty, and Depute Lord Provost, Councillor Gerald Leonard, hosted the event in the Banqueting Hall, where guests were served tea, cakes and sandwiches and encouraged to get up on the dance floor as a big band performed live.

One couple who attended were John and Frances Hannah.

The pair from Garrow- hill met in 1948 and married four years later. They now have a daughter, Carol-Ann, 46, and two grandsons, Grant, 20, and Cameron, 17.

Frances, 82, said: "The secret of a long marriage is to treat your partner with respect, how you would want to be treated.

"We sit down and discuss our problems and try to get them fixed .Life's too short."

Mamie and Jimmy Young were celebrating a long and happy relationship which started the Dennistoun Palais in 1948.

After a four-year courtship, the couple married at South Carntyne Church and now have a son, daughter and two grandsons.

Mamie, 81, said: "We've lasted so long because, when things go wrong, we help each other and we're always there for each other," while Jimmy, 88, said: "It's just nice to have someone with me."

Mary and Hugh Cameron from Baillieston also met on a night out in 1950, dancing at the Barrowlands Ballroom.

They married two years later in Parkhead, have two sons and five grandsons, and still enjoy dancing and swimming and regularly holiday in France.

Hugh said: "I think my marriage has lasted as long as it has because I do as I'm told."

The Lord Provost said: It's fitting that we mark the diamond anniversary of our very own citizens at the same time the Queen celebrates her Diamond Jubilee."