A KEEN runner showed he had plenty of determination for the chase when he pursued the woman of his dreams.

Worcester couple Vic and Daisy Lane met when she was stopping with her aunt at The Union pub, now known as The Flyford Arms, in Flyford Flavel.

After a few dates, Mr Lane kept turning up on her doorstep unannounced, but his persistence paid off because they are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary today.

"I thought she was lovely girl," said Mr Lane.

The couple met in 1941, and Mr Lane, now aged 87, used to take her for a spin on his Norton motorbike.

"I kept saying I don't want to see you tonight but he kept pursuing me and that was that," said Mrs Lane, aged 84.

"I kept trying to say no, but now I wouldn't change him for anything.

"We've had a wonderful life and have been very happy, we don't argue much and I'm glad he asked me out."

Before meeting his wife to be, Mr Lane had served in the Worcester territorials from 1937 to 1939 and had won eight silver cups for winning quarter and half-mile sprints in army races.

He even won a place to represent them in a London race, but the event was cancelled because of the Second World War, during which he was stationed in England.

They married at St Mary's Church, Sansome Walk, Worcester, in 1943 and spent their honeymoon in Rhyl, North Wales.

"I'd been to Rhyl once when I was about 12 and I'd always wanted to go back again, so I spent my honeymoon there," said Mr Lane.

Mrs Lane gave up her job as a clerk at The Maypole Dairy Company, in Worcester's London Road, when her sons, Alan and Philip, were born.

She then worked at the Milk Marketing Board, Lower Wick as a clerk for 20 years until she retired.

Mr Lane swapped his driving job for work as a production co-ordinator in the engineering stores at Metal Box Ltd, Worcester, for 26 years until he retired.

The couple, who have four grandchildren, enjoy growing vegetables and flowers.

"Our secret recipe for success is 'do as you would be done by'. Those few words cover it all," said Mr Lane.

The diamond couple, who have lived in Winchester Avenue, St John's, for nearly 50 years, were due to celebrate today with family and friends at home.