TONY Kilminster literally fell for his wife Pat dozens of times when he met her more than 60 years ago.

The couple, from Fernhill Close, Redditch, who are celebrating their diamondwedding anniversary, met at a Birmingham ice rink before the Second World War.

Tony was on the ice for the first time and Pat, an accomplished skater, spent most of her time picking him up.

She said: "He kept wobbling about and I actually knocked him down first. We were attracted right away."

They started dating but Tony was soon called up and spent the next four years in the RAF on secret radar missions.

Pat, now 84, said: "I had the wedding arranged as soon as he came home in 1945 but it was very austere. I wore a day dress and a hat."

Her 85-year-old husband spent all his working life at the electronic manufacturer Transcall, where he was a technical director until he retired at 70.

The couple had two sons, Ian, who sadly died from cancer at 52, and 40-year-old Russell.

Tony was also heavily involved with Alcester RNLI, of which he was treasurer for 20 years.

Nowadays, Pat loves entertaining and Tony still makes his own wine, damson and gooseberry being the favourites.

They spent their anniversary in Corfu but then celebrated with friends at the over-60s club in Cookhill Village Hall.

They also renewed their wedding vows at St Paul's Church in Cookhill.