A FORMER Mayor and Mayoress of Wootton Bassett are today celebrating their golden wedding anniversary.

Bernard and Phyllis Male married on October 21, 1950, after meeting two years before at a ballroom dancing class at South Petherton, Somerset.

Mr Male said: "The instructor told me, 'There's your partner' and indicated Phyl. And so it proved to be."

Just a few weeks after their Newquay honeymoon, the newlyweds were parted by National Service.

"After I was demobbed, I got a job in Swindon Railway Works and we moved to Wootton Bassett," said Mr Male.

"It was going to be temporary, but we settled, and never moved on."

Mr Male, 71, was a town councillor for eight years and mayor from 1993 to 1994.

The couple, who have a daughter, Christine, and a son, Philip, say a sense of humour is a vital part of a happy marriage. "We laugh at mistakes, agree to differ and press on," said Mrs Male.