Leeds couple's 66th wedding anniversary celebrations at Pudsey residential home

Gordon and Rita Evers had a waltz and toasted their anniversary with champagne during celebrations at Hutton Manor residential home in Pudsey.

Gordon, 89, and Rita, 85, from Rothwell - who both moved to Hutton Manor in January - also met with daughter Wendy Scatchard in the gardens at a safe distance.

Wendy, 61, of Rothwell, said: "It was lovely to see them together and they both seemed happy.

"Although I wasn't able to join them, Hutton Manor sent me a film of them having their lunch and a little waltz."

Gordon Evers was brought up in Bramley, and Rita Asquith - who is the eldest of 13 children - lived in Richmond Hill and Halton Moor as a child.

The couple met at the Star and Garter pub in Kirkstall in the early 1950s and were married at a chapel in Richmond Hill on June 12 1954.

Their first home was at Waterton Place in Hunslet and they later lived in Halton Moor and East End Park before moving to the Oval, Rothwell.

Daughter Wendy said her mother was a talented ballroom dancer who enjoyed going to dances at the 101 Club on Kirkgate and at The Majestic.

Wendy said: "She taught my dad to ballroom dance when he was aged 60 and he made a lovely dancer."

The couple also had a son, David Evers, who died aged 59 in 2014.

Rita last worked as a milliner for theatrical costumier Homburg of Leeds.

Gordon was a former miner who later worked as a chauffeur for senior managers at the Post Office.

The couple enjoyed regular holidays and enjoyed going to the Royal Hotel at Whitby, where entertainment included ballroom dancing.

Wendy said: "They loved to be entertained and they liked socialising.

"Virtually every holiday they went on they would get off the coach and be saying goodbye to about 20 new friends they had made."

She added: "My dad has said that as soon as he met my mum he knew she was the love of his life."

Helen Fowler, the manager of Hutton Manor residential home, said; "We may well be in lockdown but these events are as important as ever.

"We made sure the happy couple had a lovely day and a table for two.

"It was fabulous. All the staff and residents were wishing them well.

"Rita said to me that she has never had anything like this in her life, such a posh special meal with champagne. She had a lovely day."