A COTSWOLD couple who met at a village dance more than six decades ago have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

John and May Freeman, of Shepherd's Way in Cirencester, spoke of their happiness as they remembered how they met all those years ago at a village dance.

The 82-year-olds were at the event in John's home village of Sapperton when he asked May, of Frampton Mansell, for a dance.

The love affair began soon after and within a couple of years, in 1952 and both aged 22, they were celebrating their wedding day at Sapperton Church in front of family and friends.

Still on rations, money was tight and so they spent their week-long honeymoon with family in London.

John had left the RAF and started working as an engineer in Brimscombe while May was employed in several factories.

The couple moved around but never left the Cotswolds and finally settled in Shepherd's Way in 1988.

Former pub darts champion John said the secret to a happy marriage was plenty of give and take. "You've always got to do what the boss says," he laughed. "You should never go to bed on an argument and always sort it out."

They celebrated the anniversary with a special at the Bees Knees in Cirencester on Sunday with family and friends.