The couple first met when nurse Lucille, nee Oginsky, was tending to Louis' late niece, Linda Simpson, at Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

Lucille recalled: "I didn't notice him then when he came to visit the ward."

But Linda's dad and Louis' brother, the late Sidney Miller, did and conspired to give them free tickets to a New Year's ball at Allerton Hebrew Congregation.

The couple were married two years later at Princes Road Synagogue on August 17, 1958.

Settling in Childwall after their son Martin was born, Lucille continued with her nursing career, working nights when Martin and his sister, Karen, were little.

Lucille quipped: "That's why we had such a good, long marriage, because we didn't see each other."

And 80-year-old Louis added: "We passed as ships in the night."

But it could not be the only reason for their happiness together as Lucille was invalided out of the hospital work with a bad back after a fall in 1992.

But she still pays tribute to her husband's domestic skills, which allowed her to continue working, as long as she did. She said: "Our grandchildren say he makes the best kneidlach and curry."

They have four grandchildren, as well as a step-granddaughter and are very proud that 18-year-old grandson Daniel, King David High School's deputy head boy, is soon leaving to study international business in Ohio, USA.

Also attending King David High School are twin granddaughters Lauren and Victoria and step-granddaughter Zoe.

Youngest grandchild, Sophie, is only seven months.

Louis is also a former active member of the Hebrew Schools' Old Boys' Association.

Both Lucille and Louis were involved in fundraising for JLGB.

They have been Childwall Hebrew Congregation members for around 40 years and for the last four have lived in Rex Cohen Court, where their time is mostly taken up helping out with their grandchildren who accompanied them to Crete.

Family and friends will gather at Martin's Grassendale home on Sunday for the celebrations.