A DIAMOND farming couple from Fordingbridge are celebrating 60 years of wedded bliss today (Thursday October 15).

Michael and Rosemary Hayward married in 1955 at St Mary's Church in Fordingbridge, where Rosemary used to bell ring.

Michael moved to Gorley from Woolwich to help his grandparents on the farm just before the Second World War.

Farming was clearly in his blood as he never left and his only London link is his support of Arsenal Football Club.

Rosemary used to work at Armfields Agricultural machinery in Stuckton. Michael caught her eye and he soon became a frequent customer to purchase petrol.

He eventually garnered the courage to ask her out and, after a few rejections, Rosemary was often washing her hair, they went on a date and have never looked back.

The couple set up home in a caravan in one of the fields at Green Farm, North Gorley, which belonged to Michael's grandfather.

Over time the pair gradually turned the mixed farm into several chicken farms and moved into the farmhouse when their four children were born.

MJ Hayward and Sons was set up and the family business became specialists in rearing pullets.

As is the way of farming families, Michael, 87 and Rosemary, 81, still work the farm but their sons are doing the hard graft.

The couple embraced village life and became heavily involved in the community.

Michael was one of the founding members of Hyde Cricket Club while Rosemary sat on Hyde Parish Council and was a governor at Hyde Primary School.

When asked for the secret of a long and happy marriage, Michael said: "Rosemary had made an excellent catch and kept him working hard."