SIXTY five years ago today, on September 15, 1951, Royal Wootton Bassett couple Don Matthews and Iris Hooper were married at the Wesley Methodist Church in Faringdon Road, Swindon. Don's sister and Iris's niece were bridesmaids.

The couple, now almost 88, have been keen dancers who met at the Recreation room of the church, and were courting for four years before their wedding.

Iris did not turn up for their first date, in the harsh winter of 1947. "I waited half an hour, but it was snowing!" said Don. "I phoned her at work next day and arranged to see her again."

Iris, whose first job was at the Co-op in Radnor Street, later worked in the Swindon Railway offices.

Don, who started work at 14, at the former Strange's Garage in Wootton Bassett High Street, later joined the Railway Works. He and Iris have enjoyed travelling widely with the free passes granted to employees. Don, who was born at Lyneham, used to play football for village. He recalls being taught the waltz, quickstep and foxtrot by a WAAF at Lyneham Village Hall when he was sixteen. "She was a North countrywoman from Middlesbrough and told us boys not to be wimps, and to learn the proper dance steps," Don said.

He and Iris have danced through the years, at Blackpool Tower Ballroom, the Bradford Hall (now the Arts Centre) in Swindon, and many other dance halls. Sadly, their knees and hips have prompted them to take a break from this hobby in recent times.

They have holidayed in Canada (visiting cousins in Ontario), Rhodes, Symi, Ireland, Guernsey and Jersey.

Both still enjoy gardening - Iris in the conservatory and Don on the allotment, where he cultivates fruit to freeze for winter puddings.

"Iris was actually very poorly when we got married, and not well enough for a honeymoon," he said, "She'd had TB and after recovering from that she suffered from pleurisy, She weighed under six stone! I had to really look after her, and she's been ok ever since!" Don said, "I've had had two heart attacks, but have been fine since having a bypass at Bristol."

After the wedding, Mr & Mrs Matthews lived in Swindon, initially with Iris' mother, before moving to a flat at the top of Wootton Bassett High Street. Their only son Derek was born in 1953, and they have two granddaughters and four great grandchildren. In 1961 they queued from 6am at the site of a new estate to meet the builder, Mr Baldwin, and stake their claim for the plot on which their present home would be built. "It cost £2,500, with an extra £119 for the conservatory," Don said.

They have lived there happily ever since. "We like Wootton Bassett," they agree. "We don't argue; we always make joint decisions and we've always made sure we can manage on what we've got. We've had a really good life and could not wish for anything better,"said Don. Many happy occasions have been preserved on DVDs which their family has made from Don's old cine films.

"We're not having a big celebration, but we will get together with some family and friends. We think we are very lucky," said Iris.