A chance meeting on a trip to the zoo has led to a lifetime of happiness for Ralph and Gaynor Hallam.
The Shepshed couple celebrated 60 years of marriage yesterday.
They were married at St Peter's Church, in Oadby, three years after they bumped into each other while watching the animals.
Ralph, 84, who was working for a company in Oadby, said: "We were on a works outing to St Albans and Gaynor was on the bus, but was with a group of other people.
"We chanced to meet each other at the zoo and got chatting. After we got back I asked her out and things went on from there."
The couple, who were both from Oadby, set up home there, but moved to Shepshed when Ralph, a maintenance fitter, moved from Leicester Power Station to Ratcliffe on Soar.
They had four children, and now have eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
They both have a passion for gardening and enjoy going out for a meal each week with friends.
Ralph said that he and Gaynor, who is 79, went out for lunch yesterday before having a family gathering at their home.
He added: "We are also having a party for the family on Saturday."
Eldest daughter Jenny Martindale said: "Mum and dad are a real couple. They go everywhere together and we are all looking forward to the family party on Saturday."
The couple received a card from the Queen to mark their diamond wedding anniversary.
