IT may not have been love at first sight for Christina Cox, but after 60 years of marriage she and husband Eric are still very happy together.

Mrs Cox said she wasn’t sure she liked her husband when she first met him while out with friends in Salisbury, but they got to know each other and love blossomed from there, with the couple marrying a year later on May 8, 1954.

Mrs Cox moved to England from the Harz Mountains in Germany in 1951 and was an assistant cook at Eton College before moving to Salisbury, where she worked at Odstock Hospital in various different roles, eventually working in home care for about four years before the couple had their children – Marilyn, Gary, Kevin and Annelee.

Mr Cox, 82, was born and raised in Salisbury. He worked for a local builder as a carpenter and joiner for 30 years before becoming a selfemployed carpenter, painter and decorator, which he did for 30 years.

He also has a passion for music and played drums in a band called Sarum Sound for many years and then in a duo called One Plus One before giving it up a few years ago.

Mrs Cox, 81, enjoys gardening and sewing and is a wellknown face among Salisbury’s cycling community.

The couple, who live in Salisbury, love to indulge in jazz dancing and have enjoyed a lot of European travel, including visiting Mrs Cox’s homeland, but now prefer to stay closer to home and go on day trips.

Mr Cox said the secret to a long, happy marriage is give and take. “You have to,” she said. “We have our moments - I don’t believe people who say they never argue - but I just go out in the garage until we calm down.”

The couple are celebrating their diamond wedding with their children, three grandchildren and great-grandchild.