Despite an awkward start to their relationship, Ernest and Doreen Gingell are still happily married and devoted after 60 years.

The couple, who have lived in Biddestone for 49 years, celebrated their diamond anniversary on Thursday, having first met when Mrs Gingell (then White) was a young girl truanting from a visit to the chapel to go to the pictures.

She met three friends, one of whom was Mr Gingell, who she knew of, but not well.

As they cycled home that day Mr Gingell, now 90, was involved in a minor collision with a car – which ultimately blew the young truant’s cover story when she was called to the police station to give a statement a few days later.

“When I got home that day my mum gave me such a clout,” said Mrs Gingell, 83.

The couple married on June 2, 1951, at Yatton Keynell church.

Mr Gingell served in the Royal Navy for seven years before going to work at the former Copenacre factory, making furniture for ships, at Box Hill, which he did for 49 years.

Mrs Gingell has worked for the former OXO and Nestles factories, both Chippenham.

They have a daughter Cynthia, 56, and son Bernard, 59. They also have four grandchildren.