DENNIS Russell was introduced to his wife Doris after he met her brother and father while out cycling in Durrington.

The couple, from Bulford, have spent many happy years together since then, and celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at the weekend.

When they met, Dennis was in his early 20s and was in the forces based at Larkhill, and Doris was 18. Romance blossomed and the couple married at Amesbury St Melor Church on October 24, 1959.

Dennis, now 77, worked for the Ministry of Defence at Boscombe Down, before joining Salisbury District Council as a cashier in Durrington.

Doris, now 71, also worked at Boscombe Down for some time, before giving up to work to raise their two daughters, Nicola and Michelle. She returned to work when they started at school, and was a receptionist for nearly 30 years.

The couple, who have three grandsons and two granddaughters, like to spend a lot of time travelling and going on holidays now they’re both retired.

They recently went to Majorca for an early anniversary celebration, they spent a month in New Zealand earlier in the year and went on a mini cruise with their daughters over the August bank holiday.

And the secret to a long and happy marriage? “Well I think really just give and take,” said Mrs Russell. “We have never really had any major arguments.

“We try and do quite a few things together but we also have separate things, as I have my WI and he has his fishing.”