A HAPPY couple has celebrated their golden wedding anniversary during a very extraordinary year.

John and Margaret Tynan of Cleator Moor were visiting their daughter, Andrea Tynan-Brower in Florida in March when the coronavirus outbreak struck.

They were forced to stay in the United States for longer than they had planned, celebrating their golden wedding anniversary there.

John Tynan, 73, said: "We knew that it was going on but I don't think anyone realised what it would be like."

They have enjoyed their extended holiday and wedding anniversary in the States in spite of the coronavirus pandemic.

John said: "We're just living the life here, it is a nice place to be.

"We went to places where we knew there wouldn't be many people there.

"It's not like being in isolation because it's the family home."

Andrea has lived in the US with husband Jason Brower since 2009.

Jason said: "They try to come over every year or so and stay a couple of months.

"They were actually on the last flight that got into Florida before they cancelled all the incoming flights."

The family did not expect the coronavirus outbreak to be as severe as it turned out to be.

Jason said: "We thought, 'we'll just hunker down' and isolate.'"

John and Margaret celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on July 25 from Florida, a very different setting to the one that was planned.

Jason said: "Their three daughters had put together a trip to Keswick, it was supposed to be spent there. That feels like a lifetime ago now."

John and Margaret plan to make their trip to Keswick when it is safer to travel.

"We did the best we could for them here."

Youngest daughter Mandy also lives in America, in New Hampshire. The couple are looking forward to seeing eldest daughter Karen, grandchildren Keane and Ashleigh and great granddaughter Arya back in Cleator Moor when they can return to Cumbria.

Jason said: "There's been some changes but we're looking at the first week in September, that would make the stay six months."

He added that the couple will be surprised to see how great granddaughter Arya has grown when they return as she was just beginning to walk when they left for Florida.