Barry and Dia Caunt, of Littleport Lane, Sibsey, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Friday.

For the occasion Barry bought Dia a white Carmen Beetle and they now have 'his and hers' cars, with Barry's being red.

They met on Barrow Bridge, Gloucestershire, when she was 16 and he was 21 - and he gave her a ride to Mount Sorrel.

Dia moved to Gloucester and they got married two years after meeting on July 24, 1960, the same day as Barry's birthday.

Barry said: "She did it on purpose, so I'd always remember our anniversary."

They were married in Brockworth, Gloucester.

Unfortunately, the bus carrying Barry and guests to the wedding broke down in Coventry.

Barry said: "We were there and a hairdresser came out of his shop. He heard what had happened and offered me a free haircut while we waited for another bus."

They have been interested in classic cars and motorbikes since the 1960s and used to have an Austin Chimney, they currently also have a Valkswagen minivan.

Barry and Dia have lived and worked in several places including Loughborough, Gloucester and Sileby.

Barry used to own his own petrol station, shop and cafè where Dia helped out, although she has worked in a number of other places including as a telephonist in Loughborough.

The couple have three children, Andrew, 41, Robert, 39, and Martin, 33, and four grandchildren.

They moved to Sibsey 20 years ago where they opened the garage, cafè and shop in Wrangle until they retired nine years ago.

They say they have had their ups and downs but the secret to married life is to: "Stick together through them whatever. We are good mates or best friends as you might say."

Instead of presents at the celebrations, guests donated £500, which will go to the Addenbrook's Fund at Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, where they are raising funds for a laser to treat cancer.