A WARTIME dance brought Lydia and Jim Howell together and, as they celebrate 60 glorious years of marriage today, they still enjoy stepping out for a waltz.

Kidderminster girl, Mrs Howell, fell for Mr Howell, who came from Somerset and was stationed with the Army at Park Attwood, Trimpley, at a dance in nearby Shatterford in 1942.

Three years later, as the war ended, they married at St Mary's Church, Kidderminster, and embarked on married life in Mrs Howell's home county.

Mrs Howell could not cope with the "primitive" country life - with no electricity or running water - and, five months later, they returned to Kidderminster, living with her mother in Broad Street until they got a house on the newly-built Birchen Coppice estate.

After 16 years they moved to Hales Park, Bewdley and have lived in their current home in Vicarage Crescent, Kidderminster for 35 years.

Mr Howell, 82, was a carpenter, first with the RAF at Hartlebury, then with a builder and, finally, with Wyre Forest District Council, while 79-year-old Mrs Howell was a typist at the RAF base before working in what was Woolworth's furniture store for 10 years.

The couple, who have a son, a granddaughter and two great-grandchildren, still enjoy the Friday tea dances at Habberley Hall, as well as a regular game of bingo. Mr Howell is also a member of the Sons of Rest, based at Brinton Park.