SIX decades after they tied the knot, one Swindon couple are still going strong as they celebrate their Diamond Wedding anniversary tomorrow.

Diane Hillier, 80, and her husband Michael, 82, of Penhill, were both born in Swindon and have lived here ever since.

They met in September 1951, not far from where they live now at a funfair on the grounds of what became Uplands School.

Michael, or Mick as he is known to his friends, remembers how they would take their bikes on days out together in the years that followed.

He said: “When we were courting we used to take my little transistor radio and ride up to Ladder Hill for a bit of sunshine.

“I remember when Nat King Cole was top of the pops, singing Too Young.”

In 1953, Mick went off to do his national service in the RAF and it was six weeks before he got any leave.

On his first weekend off he took Diane away for a memorable weekend.

She remembered: “We went up to London – that was a special trip, it was a big thing to go to London then.

“That’s where we got engaged, I can remember going to the pictures and having the ring on, it was lovely.”

For the next two years Mick would spend most of his time away at various RAF bases around the country, but he would always make time to come back and see Diane.

“I used to catch the bus from Cheltenham, I’d get off, have a haircut, then head round and call in at her house,” he said.

Diane added: “It was all collar and tie in those days, then again you won’t see him going far without a collar and tie even now.”

In the years that followed, Mick and Diane had a son and three daughters, including twins.

They’re now the proud grandparents of six others and great-grandparents to three more.

Their family, who all live close by, keep them busy – but they like it that way because they’ve never been a couple keen to just sit around.

After starting out as a carpenter’s apprentice, Mick worked on the building sites before becoming a driving instructor for 21 years and then moving on to work at the doctor’s surgery in Penhill.

Remarkably, after 23 more years and approaching the age of 83, he still works there now looking after the building as a caretaker and cleaner.

Mick chuckled as he said: “I’ll keep going too, I want to try and get to 25 years.”

He will however take time out to celebrate his special day with Diane, with a trip to Devon and a family day out in the works.

When asked what their secret was after 60 years, Diane said: “a bit of give and take, knowing when to give each other some space and having our own interests.”

“It’s been a bumpy road at times, I think it always is, but we’re still going,” added Mick.