JOHN Clifford nearly did not make it to his wedding but he and wife Doris are now celebrating 60 years of marriage.

The couple, who live in Toothill, met during World War II while stationed at an RAF base in Dover.

On Christmas Day in 1941 Mr Clifford was sent to Shoreham to repair a radar and had three days of work ahead of him, with the wedding due on December 27.

He managed to persuade a colleague to cover his shift and arrived late the night before the ceremony in Northolt, London.

The couple have six daughters, 13 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Mrs Clifford, 80, said: "The secret to our marriage is give and take. We do have arguments but you've got to be tolerant. We share the same interests and do most things together."

The couple celebrated their diamond wedding day in style with a family meal.

Mr Clifford, 81, a former TV engineer, said: "When I first saw Doris she looked nice and it didn't take me long to make up my mind that she was the one.

"We had to get married when we both had leave at the same time, which was rare, and I almost missed the wedding."