It was diamond smiles from the ‘People’s Provost’ Ken Cameron OBE and wife Molly on Wednesday as they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

Dumfriesshire Lord Lieutenant Fiona Armstrong presented a message of congratulations from the Queen at their Ardwall Road home in Dumfries.

Eighty-five-year-old Ken, who was a Dumfries councillor for 42 years and provost for 12, says their long and happy marriage is due to them being “there for each other, and our family keeps us right.”

He said: “Molly is my rock. Without her, and the support from the public, I could never have achieved all the things I have done. People in Dumfries and Galloway are good people, second to none.”

Molly, aged 84, hails from Lochfoot and attended Kircudbright Academy, while Ken spent his early childhood in Clarencefield and Mouswald before his family settled in Dumfries where he was a pupil at Loreburn Primary and Dumfries High.

They met at a dance in Southwick and were married at Mouswald Church on September 12, 1958.

During his National Service of over two years, Ken joined the King’s Own Scottish Borderers and, after training in Edinburgh, was transferred to infantry battalion the Scottish Cameronians and saw action in Malaya.

On his return, he joined the fire service in Dumfries and gave 30 years of service.

Molly was assistant manger at Simpson’s shoe shop near Burns Statue and then manager for 16 years at Thornton’s on the High Street. They have three children – Lynda, Elaine and Kenneth – and four grandchildren and are planning a family holiday later this year to celebrate their anniversary.

Ken is best known for his dedication as an independent councillor, returned to office by voters five times.

He served on many committees over the years, including chairman of the police committee, and represented the region at events in the UK and abroad.

He is a honorary president of Dumfries Guid Nychburris; served on Locharbiggs and Heathhall Community Councils; was chairman of the Children’s 1st Dumfries Action Group for 20 years; first chairman of the Locharbriggs Community Centre – among many other achievements and community service.

As well as being a referee in the amateur football leagues in the region, Ken was also a SFA referee and linesman during the 1970s and 80s. He was one of the first SFA refs to get a European game and says one of the highlights was refeering a Queen of the South v Preston North End match, as well as being linesman at many Rangers and Celtic games.