A COUPLE marked their ruby wedding anniversary with a single red rose - 8ft tall!.

Dorothy and Andrew Richards, of Ribchester Road, Clayton-le-Dale, have now placed the specially commissioned sculpture at the bottom of their garden.

And the rose, which can be seen from their kitchen window, will be open to public inspection when the couple open up their one-acre garden over the bank holiday weekend to help them raise money for charity.

Inspired by a statue they had seen whilst on holiday in New Zealand, Dorothy and Andrew bought the rose, which has a 2ft flower, as a gift to one another to celebrate their 40 years together.

Dorothy, a retired physics and chemistry teacher at Accrington Moorhead high School, met Richard, a retired Bolton University lecturer, in Coventry over 40 years ago.

They moved to Oswaldtwistle 34 years ago for work before moving to Clayton-le-Dale over a decade ago.

The 8ft cast iron sculpture was created by blacksmith Andy Flatters from Myerscough College's Blacksmithing and Creative Metalwork team and cost £375.

Dorothy, who now teaches the piano part time, said: "It could possibly be the only one in Lancashire and the second in the world.

"In February this year we visited New Zealand for a month long holiday.

"The holiday was just a special treat, something we had always wanted to do.

"When we visited Christchurch in the South Island, New Zealand, there was a really nice English town which you would have found here about 30 years ago.

"And it was there in the Botanic Garden we saw this giant rose.

"I photographed it, we thought it amazing and that thought we would never see another one.

"This year is our ruby wedding year.

"When we came back to England we decided to have one commissioned and delivered in time for our Ruby wedding celebration on August 12.

Dorothy said: "After the first anniversary we decided to buy joint presents every year rather than falling out if one of us forgets.

"I suggested the idea and Richard and he went along with it."

To see the flower visit the garden from 1.30pm to 5pm at 157 Ribchester Road, Clayton-le Dale.

Admission is £2.50 for adults and accompanied children are free.

Refreshments and plants are available.

All proceeds will go to various charities.