A COUPLE who were set up on a blind date to the cinema in 1956 are set to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary next week.

Leslie and Frances Powell tied the knot at Builth Wells Baptist Chapel three years to the day since their date, and had their reception at the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells.

After the wedding on October 10, 1959, Frances moved across the border into England and bought a house which had just been built on Elizabeth Road, Kington.

Leslie, a farmer's son from Tredomen near Brecon, had moved to the north Herefordshire town in 1938 when he started working for J&P Turner agricultural merchants.

With the exception of his time as a navigator flying Lancaster Bombers during the Second World War, the keen-gardener worked for the company until his retirement in 1997.

One of the couple's three children said Leslie and his wife Frances, who was born in the Welsh valleys town of Ystrad Mynach, are still involved with the town's Baptist chapel.

Alison Duberley said: "Mum worked for the Midlands Electricity Board in Kington until they began their family. They had two daughters, Alison and Helen, and one son, Colin.

"Once we were at school, mum worked as an auxiliary nurse at Kington Cottage Hospital until she retired in 1997.

"They are both active members of Kington Baptist Chapel. Mum used to help in the Sunday school and dad has always been a key holder and was secretary for many years.

"Both were involved in helping to organise many Sunday school outings when we were growing up and still help with the Friday coffee mornings at the chapel.

"Mum was a member of Kington WI and has been a member of Kington Cancer Relief fundraising committee for many years. Both have been active people and have kept fit by walking most days."

The couple celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Thursday.