Carnforth station and spilt tea brought George and Pat Frost together 61-years-ago.

The couple, who celebrated their diamond wedding on March 26, met at the station buffet on March 1, 1941, after George spilt his cup of tea and Pat found it so funny that she could not stop laughing at him.

George, a Royal Marine from Barrow, was travelling to Stockton-on-Tees and Pat was going back to her home city of Leicester where she was a nurse.

It was the only time that the couple ever used the Barrow to Leeds line and they spent the whole journey talking to each other.

Pat said: " We swapped addresses and I thought I'll believe that if it happens, but here I am 60 years later."

They were married in March, 1942, at St Margaret's Church in Leicester and after the birth of the first of their three sons, they set up home in Barrow in 1945.

Pat believes the secret of a long and happy marriage is give and take with lots of patience.

Carnforth station and the buffet are being restored to their original glory.

The couple hope that when the work is completed in 2003 they can return for a cup of tea.

The couple, now retired, live in Sabden, Lancashire.