Devizes couple Ron and Sylvia Jordan celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary at the weekend surrounded by their family and friends.

Although the actual blue sapphire day was on Friday, they celebrated on Sunday with a slap-up meal at the Crown in New Park Street before returning to Crammer Court in Church Walk, where they live, for wine and nibbles.

Mr Jordan, a bus driver for more than 30 years, said: “It was a wonderful day. We were surrounded by all the people we care about and we had a great time.”

The couple, both 84, met when they were just 15 through a mutual friend. Mrs Jordan is originally from Bromham and Mr Jordan from Seend.

When they met Mrs Jordan was a junior cashier at Sloper’s department store in The Brittox in Devizes while Mr Jordan was the telegram boy at Melksham post office. During their courtship Mr Jordan volunteered for the Army and in January 1944 he joined the 1st Airborne Division for three years.

He was a driver and was involved in the liberation of Norway.

The couple married on February 11 1946 at Devizes Register Office, then in Maryport Street.

After leaving the Army Mr Jordan worked for Bath Tramways as a bus driver for 30 years.

After having their three sons, Alan, Michael and Peter, Mrs Jordan returned to work at Sloper’s and when that closed in 1974 she worked for the patients’ bank at Roundway Hospital.

Mr Jordan also worked at Roundway Hospital in the industrial therapy department as a supervisor and driver and also drove minibuses, taking children with learning disabilities to school and college.

Mrs Jordan said: “I can’t take it in myself. It certainly doesn’t seem like 65 years. The time has just flown.

“I don’t remember too much about the wedding ceremony. I know I wore a green dress, which didn’t please everyone, but it was the only one I had.

“We got married on my 19th birthday. It didn’t have anything to do with St Valentine’s Day. My husband was in the Army at the time. He got compassionate leave for the wedding. He came home on the Saturday and went back on the Wednesday, so no chance for a honeymoon.

“But we’ve made up for it over the years.”

Asked what the secret of a happy marriage was, Mr Jordan said: “You have got to have a good sense of humour and say yes and no in the right places.”

The couple have eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren.