Glasses were raised on Saturday to a well-known couple who married 50 years ago in Drumry.

Lewis and Marion Stevenson were congratulated by family and friends at a golden wedding celebration in the Stables restaurant in Balloch.

And Provost William Hendrie dropped in to offer the couple his best wishes on behalf of West Dunbartonshire Council.

Lewis and Marion tied the knot in St Mary’s Church, Drumry, on October 7, 1967.

Like many couples enjoying Glasgow’s vibrant social scene in the sixties, they met at the dancing – in their case at the Locarno ballroom in the city’s Sauchiehall Street.

After their nights out, Lewis used to walk Marion home to Drumchapel and then walk home to Faifley.

However, Clydebank-born Lewis, known for his humour and quick wit, gave a different account of the first meeting.

He quipped: “We actually met in a travel agent’s.

“Marion was booking at a holiday and she looked at me and said ‘I’ll take him – he’s my last resort!’”

The couple, who now live in George Street, Bonhill, say having a laugh has helped them through their 50 years of marriage.

Asked if she appreciated Lewis’s wisecracks, Marion said: “I have got to the stage I just don’t listen to him – that’s the best thing to do!”

Lewis, 70, first worked as a tailor when he left school but went on to a range of other occupations in the years to follow.

He worked with the Ministry of Defence at Old Kilpatrick, with Shell BP and Ineos at Finnart and he also had spells in security work and driving taxis.

Marion, 71, born in Bridgeton, was a machinist to trade and worked with several companies, including kilt and Highland dress specialist Kinloch Anderson and Frank Usher, the ladies clothes manufacturer.

However, they became well-known in the wider Dumbarton area as owners of Marion’s Stores in Colquhoun Street, which they ran for several years in the mid-1980s.

Lewis said he and Marion had a “can do” attitude which meant they had taken lots of opportunities which had enhanced their lives.

The happy couple were joined at Saturday’s celebration by their two daughters, Deborah, engaged to fiancé Simon, and Tracy, who is married to John.

Grandchildren Kyle, 20, Owen, 13, and Kaelyn, seven, were also at the party to join in the celebrations.

Completing the family is the couple’s shih tzu dog, Chicco, whom Lewis and Marion adore.