A CHANCE encounter on the way back from the pub led to 60 years of happy marriage.


In November 1955, Jim and his friend were walking through South Cerney after a few drinks when he spotted Marion walking the other way.


He said to his friend “hey look at her” and asked her on a date, which she didn't hesitate to accept. At the time Marion was 17 and Jim was 27.


Less than a year later, on August 27, the pair was standing in the Silver Street registry office in Cirencester getting ready to say their vows.


Soon after Marion had her first daughter Janet and, after losing a child, had her second daughter Julie.


Twenty years later they had their third child, James Puffitt, which Jim puts down to "not having anything on TV”.


“I’d have never imaged back then we’d get this far,” Marion said. “We’ve had our ups and downs but we’ve always overcome them.”


After 60 years of marriage, three children, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren, Jim said he still loves Marion as much as the day they were married.


He said: “The key to a successful marriage is to just keep going and take things day by day.”


The happy couple now live in Fosse Close in Cirencester and will be celebrating their diamond anniversary today.