AFTER he bumped into her on his way to work at the age of 19, retired Hilmarton farmer Raymond Rumming celebrated his diamond wedding with his wife Joyce and extended family at a party on Sunday.

The couple, who describe their chance encounter as love at first sight, got married in Hilmarton Church on November 3, 1956 which they look fondly back on.

Mr Rumming of Lammas Close said: "I was working on a farm in Lower End, Compton Bassett and she was working in a cafe on Church Street and when I was going to work we bumped into one another. It was more or less love at first sight."

As Britain recovered from the effects of the war, the couple did not go on a honeymoon but recall going on cinema trips to see the latest film and hopping on their bikes to visit fairs and things around the town.

During their marriage, the couple had two children Jean and Michael who helped organise the party at the Village Hall in Poynder Place on Saturday which was well attended by their four grandchildren, three great children and friends from the village.

"It was very nice and we knew we were going to have a a party but I didn't know we were going to have a three tiered cake and have all these decorations," Mrs Rumming said. "We have had lots and lots of cards and we have raised quite a bit for the helicopter. We didn't need any presents so we we thought we would raise money for the Air Ambulance and at the moment there is about £100 in the pot."

When asked what the secret to a long and happy marriage was, the 85-year-old added: "We all have ups and downs but here we are still the same. It is all about give and take."