A COUPLE who met at a football game in Wigmore in 1954 have celebrated 60 years of happy marriage.

Adforton boy Derek Mellings was playing in the match in 1954, and Jean, who lived in Wigmore, had gone along to watch as a 15-year-old.

A conversation was initiated and three years later, in January 1957, the couple married at Wigmore Church.

Jean recalls attending a regatta in Hereford where someone had asked her 'do you think you are going to marry that boy?' and she replied 'very likely'.

Mr Mellings, now 84, worked in forestry until 1971 and then went on to work in insurance, which involved a move to Worcester, until he retired aged 62.

His wife, meanwhile, attended the technical college before taking on a number of different jobs including working at an office, a plant nursery and a pub.

She gave birth to the couple's first child, Vanessa, in 1957, who was followed by Victoria, Stephen and Amanda.

The couple, who now live in Leominster, have eight grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

Asked what the key was to a long and happy marriage, Mrs Mellings said: "Having a good row every day. You have to air your opinions."

They received a card from the Queen congratulating them on their diamond wedding anniversary and celebrated with a family dinner at the Salwey Arms, at Woofferton.