Ref. 28424-14RON and Marguerite Knott have double cause for celebration today.

Not only are the couple, of Falconscroft, Covingham, sharing a special Christmas with friends and family, they are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary.

But things have not always been plain sailing Ron even admitted to nearly running his future wife over by bicycle in a bid to strike up a conversation.

Ron, 83, said: "We both used to work on the Great West Road in South Ealing and Marguerite had to walk past my factory every day.

"When I next saw her I very nearly ran her over, accidentally on purpose of course, on my bicycle because it was a way to start a conversation we went out and ended up getting engaged.

"I suppose the secret to a happy marriage is trusting each other and being tolerant. We very rarely have arguments."

Ron and Marguerite were married in St Mary's Church, South Ealing, in 1943 and moved to Swindon in 1955. Ron worked as an engineer at Plessey's while Marguerite worked at Roussell's, a medical factory in Covingham.

Marguerite, also 83, said: "We have been very much looking forward to Christmas. It's really something of a double celebration. I think the secret to our 60-years together is a bit of give and take and respect for each other."