A HADDINGTON couple have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary after “laughing their way through life”.

Bill and Isobel Japp, of Hawthornbank Road, met while working in a shoe shop in Glasgow more than 60 years ago and have never looked back.

The couple, who have three great grandchildren, marked their 60th wedding anniversary with a special delivery from the postman.

Former shop assistant Isobel, 84, said: “The postie turned up and said: ‘Is your husband home, Mrs Japp?’ “I said yes and he said: ‘I’ve got a special card for you – who do you know at Buckingham Palace?’ “I was very surprised – it was a card from the Queen.” Although originally from Glasgow, Isobel and Bill, 88, moved to Haddington in 1960 when their daughter Margo was five years old.

At the time of the move the couple were having a hard time getting a house in Glasgow, so they looked to the east.

Isobel said: “My uncle was a minister in Dunbar so we decided to try there, but there weren’t any houses.

“They asked us if we wanted to move to Haddington and we agreed.

“We really haven’t looked back, it was a wonderful move.” The couple soon added to their family by adopting a son, David, and settled into the community.

But life has not been without its setbacks, as daughter Margo passed away two years ago.

Isobel said: “That was the hardest thing to go through, losing our daughter. She worked in Tesco in the town and so many people came to her funeral. It was very sad but as Margo would have said ‘life goes on’.” The couple have four grandchildren and family and friends joined them for a party to celebrate their anniversary at the weekend, travelling from all over the country.

But what is the secret to their happy marriage?

Isobel said: “We just laugh our way through life. We’ve always been a happy couple and got through the hard times together.”