A couple who met at a church youth group have celebrated 60 happy years of marriage.
Brian and Marie Wilford met as teenagers through the group at the North Evington United Free Church, where they married years later.
The couple, who now live in Netherhall, Leicester, celebrated their diamond anniversary on Thursday with a meal, followed by a party with friends and family at the Regency Hotel, in London Road, Leicester, on Sunday.
Brian served in the Army for two years before the couple were married, and an accident on the shooting range in Old Dalby, where he was based, nearly scuppered their relationship.
"We were on the range practising for a shoot and I got caught by ricochet and hurt my cheek and arm and fingers," said Brian, 81, who was an engineer all his working life.
"It stopped me writing for a week or so and she thought I'd lost interest.
"She forgave me when I wrote to her explaining what had happened."
Marie, 79, and Brian, who have a son and a daughter, said sharing the same interests was one of the reasons why their marriage has been so successful.
They both enjoy music, dramatic arts, railways and DIY, and being involved with the church.
Brian added: "The secret to a long marriage is give and take."
