CHILDHOOD sweethearts Reg and Margaret Webb, from South Cerney, have just celebrated their diamond wedding.

The couple first met at school when Reg moved to the village when he was ten years old.

Mrs Webb said: "We used to pass notes underneath the table and that sort of thing, but when we left school we went our own ways."

It wasn't until two-and-a-half years later that they met again at a dance to welcome home soldiers during the war.

Mr and Mrs Webb were married at the parish church of All Hallows in South Cerney.

Mrs Webb said: "My mother was married there and my daughter also got married there it's a lovely church."

On Saturday, a service was held at the church to bless the marriage and then the couple celebrated by having a meal with family and friends.

When asked the secret of their long marriage Mrs Webb, 82, said: "It's a bit of give and take but I think you've got to give a little more than you take."

Mr Webb, who will be 81 on Saturday, said: "In marriage you get your ups and downs, but we worked them out together - that's what you have to do."

They have one daughter and two grandchildren, who now live at their old farmhouse in South Cerney.