A COUPLE who met in a Hereford social club this month celebrated 60 years of happy marriage.

John, 84, and Irene Poyner, 81, were first introduced by a mutual friend at the city's British Rail Social Club in 1952.

After their courtship, they were married at St Michael and All Angels Church in Irene's home town – Ledbury – in 1954.

The couple made the trip to the south of France on their honeymoon where they visited Monte Carlo and stayed in Menton.

Having spent five years living in Newent, Gloucestershire where their first daughter Jill was born, the Poyners moved to East Anglia for 10 years, where second daughter Linda was born.

They returned to the county in 1970, when Irene took over Ullingswick Post Office while John worked as an accountant in Hereford.

They spent 42 years living there before moving to Hereford city centre for its conveniences in 2012.

Venice was the destination for the couple and their family, including the couple's four grandsons, when celebrating the diamond milestone aboard a cruise ship.

And travelling has been a big part of their live over the years, having kept close contact with distant Poyner relatives who moved to Australia many years ago.

But for Irene, the key to a long, happy marriage is "humour".