A COUPLE who first met at the Amesbury ballroom are celebrating their Diamond Wedding anniversary today (Thursday).

Derek and Evelyn Boston met at a dance on August 30, 1955.

Derek, from East London, was a Corporal in the Highland Light Infantry and based at Gordon Barracks, Bulford, while Evelyn was working for Edward Brothers in Salisbury.

The wedding took place on June 22, 1957 at the Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of Victories, Bulford Camp.

Given away by her father, Evelyn wore a ballerina length gown of white lace over taffeta, and wore a circular veil held in place by a coronet of orange blossom.

She carried a bouquet of red roses, lilies of the valley and trailing fern and an ivory missal.

The reception was held at the Church Hall attended by over 60 guests. The honeymoon was spent at Looe, Cornwall.

In 1964, Derek became an antique dealer in London, and in 1971, the family returned to Salisbury, where they have lived ever since.

Derek became a founder member of the Federation of Small Businesses and was a keen cricketer and squash player.

Evelyn actively fundraised for several charities and became a member of the Salisbury Floral Arrangement Society, where she held the position of club secretary for a number of years.

The couple who have five children and 11 grandchildren say love, friendship and respect are the secrets to their 60 years of marriage.

They will be celebrating their special anniversary day with family