THE sound of music drew 15-year-old Joan Callow to her husband as she walked along Worcester's Pitchcroft with her friend 64 years ago.

"I said to her, 'that's lovely, where is it coming from?'" she said.

The girls found Fred and his friend listening to a portable radio and things blossomed from there for the couple, who celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary today.

"Fred used to row beside me when I did long distance swimming at Kepax Ferry in case I went under," she said.

"I came second in one of the last races there."

Three years later, in 1940, Fred, now 80, said, "let's get married", making Joan one of three sisters to get hitched the next year.

"I forgot to take any clothes with me for after the wedding, and thought I'd have to get back into my wedding dress," said 79-year-old Joan.

"But luckily, Fred went and got some for me."

It was only after the ceremony at St George's Catholic Church that Fred, later a leading aircraftman during the Second World War, and Joan, a trained glove maker, discovered their love for dancing.

The twinkle-toed pair partnered each other at modern ballroom and modern sequence competitions, eventually becoming teachers, until Joan suffered a stroke six years ago.

They have two children, four grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and a two-year-old great great-grandson. and have lived in Bath Road for 34 years.

"Everyone said it wouldn't last when we married as we were so young," said Joan.

"But look at us now."