Ref. 71893-9A RURAL farming life led to romance for a Swindon couple, who are celebrating 65 years of marriage.

Ted and Ruby Wells, of Arlington Close in Nythe, marked the big day after tying the knot at Wilcot Church, near Pewsey, on August 19, 1939.

At the time, Ted, now 87, worked as a herdsman on a nearby farm while Ruby worked as a maid. Both met while on a cycle ride with friends, but their relationship was cut short when Ruby, now 85, went away to work for two years.

But when she returned, the couple took up where they left off. They got married with a big white wedding with around 70 guests attending.

However, the honeymoon did not go quite to plan when the heavens opened.

Mr Wells explained: "We went down to Bournemouth for our honeymoon. At the time it was the place to be, but on the first day there was a really bad thunderstorm and rain flooded the park."

Later on, the couple moved to Toothill and Ted worked as a tenant farmer at Toothill Farm where the area's community centre now stands.

"It was a dairy and poultry farm back then, but Swindon has changed so much in recent years, and I later went to work for parks department for Swindon Council in the seventies," he said.

The couple have two sons, one grandson and one granddaughter and two great-granddaughters.

Mr Wells said: "I never interfered with indoors matters and Ruby never interfered with outdoor matters, and if we had any queries we sat down and talked them through. That's the secret to our long-lasting marriage."