IT was love at first scribe for wartime penpals Rhoda and Donald Fryer who are today celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary.

The pair met during World War II when Donald was a Royal Signaller stationed in Northern Ireland and Rhoda was a land army girl in Cheshire. They started writing to each other after one of Donald's friends passed Rhoda's address on to him.

The couple wrote to each other for a year before finally meeting up in April, 1943. Rhoda, aged 83 said: "We first set eyes on each other at Birmingham New Street station, but I knew who he was straight away."

Within a month of their first meeting the couple were engaged and married shortly afterwards on July 24. They now have two children and two grandchildren, and continue to live in Hampton where they enjoy an active social life.

Donald, also aged 83, has been the treasurer and secretary of the Evesham Hospital and Charity Cups Competition for 41 years and treasurer of the Evesham Motorcycle club for 40 years. Rhoda enjoys needlework and gardening.

Donald's secret to a successful marriage is simple: "Share everything and keep out of debt."

Rhoda added: "We really trust each other and I believe it was meant to be. I think fate played a big part in our lives."