A COUPLE who rekindled their romance after the Second World War are celebrating 60 years of happy marriage today.

Raymond and Jessie Watts, of Branston Avenue, Farnsfield, were due to receive a card from the Queen for their diamond wedding anniversary.

The couple met in Alfreton, Derbyshire, in 1945, when Raymond was stationed there while serving as a driver in the Royal Army Service Corps.

Jessie used to walk to Alfreton from her home in Pinxton with a friend for coffee and met Raymond, of Beeston, while he was walking round the town with his friend.

But they lost touch when Raymond was sent out to serve in Italy, Greece and Palestine.

On his return home after 18 months when the War drew to its conclusion, Raymond said he decided to get back in touch with Jessie and "tried to court her properly."

They married at St Margaret's Church, Aspley, on July 29, 1950. The couple have one son, Philip, 58, and two grandchildren Hannah, 21, and Katy, 16. Philip lives on the same street as his parents with his partner Helen Parr, 56, and their daughters.

Raymond, 83, said the secret to a long and happy marriage was to work as a team.

"You have got to work with one another. You have got to help each other around, especially as you get older," he said.

Jessie, 82, said: "You have got to give and take.

"We have always got on pretty well. We have our little arguments like anyone but you get over it. We have been very happy."

Helen paid tribute to the happy couple.

"They are such a lovely couple. Nothing is too much trouble for them. They do everything together and they are very much a couple."

The family is planning to celebrate by going out for a meal on Saturday.