TO say Malcolm and Roseann Austin (nee Welsh) are the lynchpins of a large and happy family would be something of an understatement, because the couple have eight grandchildren, eight great grandchildren - and another on the way.

Universally known as Malky and Rosie, the pair recently celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary at Yoker Bowling Club with around 60 guests, in what amounted to a case of "back to the future" - for although they are both Rangers supporters they first met there on April 1, 1955, at a Celtic dance.

One year later they were married in St Matthew's Church, before enjoying a celebratory party back at Roseann's mum's Yoker home.

Sixty years later, says Malky, they've "founded a dynasty", which began with three daughters and a son - Lilian, Yvonne,, Linda and Malcolm - and which will now soon include nine grandchildren.

The couple originally lived in Kilbowie Road, Clydebank, before moving to Auckland Place in Dalmuir to bring up their family, and more recently moved to a smaller house in Durban Avenue.

"It's just a room and kitchen," said Malky, "and it always seems to be full - we're a close family and the kids are round all the time (although not all at the same time!) "We love seeing them, and luckily we've a decent back garden where they can play in the summer."

Malcolm, 82, served his National Service with the Royal Signals Regiment and remained in the army reserves until the 1980's before moving on to work at Albion Motors.

Roseann, 83, worked in the Dumbuck Hotel as a waitress for many years and then at the Frank Downie Care Home as a domestic before retiring - and these days her favourite occupations are baking, reading, watching classic movies and - of course - spending lots of time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Malky said: "Our Diamond Wedding Anniversary was a real family occasion, but we didn't have the kids there - which gave their parents a bit of a night off. We had singer Sandy Baker entertaining us with the tunes we both love - by the likes of Sinatra and Perry Como - and, I'm glad to say, no disco!"

He and Rosie were delighted when Provost Douglas McAllister and Deputy Lord Lieutenant Alistair MacDonald dropped by to pass on the Queen's official message of congratulation, and to wish them and their ever-increasing family all the best for the future.

Malky said: "Looking back on 60 years it seems amazing to me how quickly time has flown, particularly with our kids grown up and their children now having had eight, soon to be nine, grandchildren - and having our party in Yoker was very nostalgic, as of course that's where we first got together.

"We have a lot to celebrate - and while all our family birthdays and similar occasions are special, this one was just perfect."