Team work has been the key to a successful marriage for David and Ann Churchley, who celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary next Thursday.

The couple met at while Mr Churchley was 19 and working as an apprentice jockey in Manton and 17-year-old Mrs Churchley was working at the Garrards factory in Marlborough.

They married two years later, on April 17, at St Mary’s Church.

Mrs Churchley said: “It was Easter Saturday and it was a lovely day. My mother did all the catering and his family all came from London and it was a really good day.”

After they married, they lived in Isbury Road, later moving to Manton then Savernake Crescent before moving back to Isbury Road before returning to Savernake Crescent, where they have lived for 30 years.

Mr Churchley, a retired builder, said: “You’ve got to give and take. We’re happy most of the time and you’ve got to be happy and muck in with what each other are doing. We just work together.

“She’s gorgeous and I would not change a thing.”

Mrs Churchley added: “We have little rows, but I don’t think we’ve ever had an argument.

“We have had some trials, but when you sit down and think about all that we’ve achieved its amazing; it’s certainly not been dull.”

Mr and Mrs Pope have two children, Graham and Lyn Pett, six grandchildren and a great-grandchild on the way.

They regularly visit their son, who lives in California, and renewed their wedding vows in Las Vegas ten years ago.

To celebrate their 60th, they will entertain friends and family at home.

Mrs Churchley said: “Our son won’t be here, which is a shame, but they’re coming in the summer so we’ll celebrate then.”