A COMMUNITY-minded husband and wife team celebrates 60 years of happy marriage together today.

Last weekend, Leslie and Beryl Martin celebrated with a friends and family at the Old Palace, Deansway, and a commemorative bell ringing at St John's Church, Bedwardine.

They met in 1944, during the Second World War while on lookout duty for the Navy in a signal tower at Shotley, Suffolk in 1944.

In 1945, the couple married in Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey - Mrs Martin's original locality. At the time, Mrs Martin's mother swapped and bartered ration tickets to obtain the ingredients for a proper wedding cake.

Mr Martin became an office manager for a building company in Macclesfield. After their two daughters left home, Mrs Martin became a primary school teacher.

Twenty-one years ago, they moved to Worcester to live with their daughter, Ruth and her husband, Edward. And ever since, the couple, both aged 82, have thrown themselves into city life.

The Martins are active members of St Mark's Church in Cherry Orchard - Leslie was churchwarden there for several years. The couple played in a badminton club, and volunteered for SSAFA, helping servicemen into civilian life. Latterly, they have been involved with the Trefoil Guild, the Probus, and the Recorded Music Society.

"We have never really been apart," said Mr Martin, at their home on Field Terrace, Diglis. "We have been very fortunate with our health, which has helped us keep active and busy," said Mr Martin.

On Saturday, their two daughters, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren were among a partyof 50 helping them celebrate.