A SPARKLING opportunity for a big celebration is being offered to married couples.

The only snag is that to qualify they must have been married for 60 years and be celebrating their diamond wedding this year.

If you fit the bill, then the Mayor of Hyndburn, Counci-llor Tony Dobson, and council leader Peter Britcliffe would like to hear from you.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are due to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on 20 November. And Councillor Britcliffe is inviting all couples who have either celebrated or are due to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversaries to get together with him and the Mayor to mark the occasion.

He said: "We want local couples to join us for a special lunch in November to celebrate their diamond anniversaries, and are asking them to get in touch with us so that we can invite them along."

One couple have already accepted the invitation. They are Jack and Joan Barton of Springfield Mews, Oswald-twistle.

Jack, aged 83, said: "I was in the Navy at the same time as the Duke of Edinburgh, earning £4 17s, and we got married off that.

The couple, who have two daughters, one grandson and two great-grandchildren, tied the knot on 12 April 1947.

Joan, who is 80, said: "The secret of our happy marriage is that we never let a day pass without a kiss. We didn't have much money in the early years but we just got on with it.''

Jack added: "We had a big party in April for all our family and friends, and we are looking forward to celebrating with other couples in Novem-ber."

If you fit the bill, or if you know of any couples who may qualify, call the leader's office on 380165 or the Observer on 871444.