A COUPLE who met at a dance in Castlemorton celebrated 60 years of married life yesterday (Thursday).

Ivor and Beat Lessimore met at an event in Castlemorton Parish Hall when he was 21 and she 17.

After an 'on-off' courtship they married in 1944 at Welland Church and moved into a house in the village.

Life could be tough, with no electricity, gas or running water and in 1952 Ivor helped his cousin to build a house on Gloucester Road.

The couple has lived there ever since, becoming popular figures in the village.

They have six children - Graham, Desmond, Raymond, Alan, Keith and Brenda - and now have 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Beat, who gave up her job at the YMCA to look after her children, said she was extremely proud of her family.

"They're all lovely," she said.

Ivor said he was delighted to be celebrating his diamond anniversary.

"I never thought we'd make it. We've had our ups and downs but here we are," he said.

Ivor and Beat will enjoy a family meal at the Duke of York pub on Sunday, with a larger celebration planned for January, when Beat turns 80.