BILL Sellwood only had a week's leave from the Navy in which to get back from Malta, marry his childhood sweetheart and return to service.

During the Second World War he proposed to her by letter and hurriedly returned to Worcester to exchange vows.

Bill and Joyce grew up together as pupils at St Paul's School in the city, where the Spring Gardens health centre now stands, and got married on March 30, 1946 in the church of the same name.

Sixty years on and the couple, both now 81, have four great grandchildren and still live in Eskdale Close, Warndon, Worcester, where their own two children grew up.

Mrs Sellwood said: "I thought he was lovely when I first knew him at school, such a kind boy.

"My heart was in my mouth when he asked me to marry him in a letter but it wasn't a complete surprise, I knew something was in the wind and I had no hesitation to accept."

Mr Sellwood was called up in May 1943, but kept in touch from hundreds of miles away by letter practically every day.

"We had been going out together," said Bill. "There must have just been a spark and by the time I was a seaman in the Royal Naval Patrol Service I had made up my mind and I asked her to marry me."

It was a warm early spring day when they tied the knot.

"I had to pre-book a week's leave and then hope that I was allowed it," he said. "Luckily they said 'yes' and I came back."

After leaving the Navy, Mr Sellwood worked for 21 years on the railways and then for Worcester Engineering. His wife was employed at St George's laundry and then the canteen at James Roberts leather factory in Vincent Road, off Wyld's Lane.

Despite a few "ups and downs" the couple say life has treated them well and they have enjoyed their frequent trips to Malta, Yugoslavia and Italy on holiday.

"We've been pretty lucky," said Mr Sellwood. "We've always coped with everything without asking for any advice from anywhere else."

Today, with their sons, three grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all still living close by, the family will mark their diamond wedding anniversary with a quiet celebration.