A WHIRLWIND wartime marriage cemented the love of a Worcestershire couple who are celebrating 60 diamond years together today.

Fred and Dora Taylor from Eardiston, near Tenbury Wells, first met outside a village pub, the Cross Keys, Minithwood, where Mr Taylor was enjoying a drink on a warm spring day and spotted Dora as she left a village hall dance.

The retired hop farmer plucked up the courage to ask out his future wife there and then and the two began courting. A few weeks' later, Fred reached the age of 18, and joined 6th Btn The Inniskilling Fusiliers.

Like many couples during this time, the war kept them apart, with Fred fighting in the Army through North Africa, Sicily and Italy.

Honeymoon

Just before he went off to war, Fred managed to scrape together a 48-hour leave - just enough time to race back home, but not enough time for a honeymoon, to Tenbury Wells Register Office to tie the knot on April 17, 1943.

As part of her war effort Dora, now aged 78, worked as a farm hand at The Moor Farm in Eardiston, where her husband was also employed.

The couple was finally reunited in 1947, when Fred's service in the Army came to an end and they settled down, having two daughters and two sons.

They also have five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and feel the secret of a long and happy marriage is to stick together through thick and thin.

"We have had the odd little quarrel and our ups and downs like all couples, but we've always worked things out and worked together in everything we do," said Mr Taylor.

Mr Taylor will be holding a double celebration with his 80th birthday also today.

Although he's not sure if his relatives have any surprises up their sleeves, he said a family meal was definitely on the cards.