THE secret to a long and happy marriage is to give and take and to be there for each other no matter what, according to one couple who today celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary.

Ray and Ena Warren tied the knot 60 years ago today and have enjoyed a long and happy life together.

The pair grew up in the same area of Swindon and first met as fresh-faced kids.

“We are both Kingsdown children and we knew of each other when we were kids,” said Ray, 80.

“We went to the same schools – Upper Stratton infants and juniors and Kingsdown School, though she knew me better than I knew her.”

They both recalled their teenage years with fond memories.

In the March of 1955, when Ray was 18, he was called to undertake National Service and the pair got engaged just before he joined up.

He completed his National Service in March 1957 and they were married a month later in St Phillip’s Church.

“We got married at 12 o’clock on a bright sunny day,” said Ena, 83.

“We were going to go to Babbacombe in Devon for our honeymoon, but a week before we were due to go we received a letter from the place we were meant to be staying saying we couldn’t be accommodated.

“So we went to stay with relatives in north Devon instead, and had a great time.”

They have both had a variety of jobs over the years.

As a young man, Ray took an apprenticeship on the railways as a French polisher before going off to work at Pressed Steel.

But it’s his time at Arkells that he remembers most fondly.

“They were the best days of my life,” he said.

He enjoyed his time so much at Arkells that he agreed to take on one of their most important roles of all – their very own Father Christmas.

A natural with children, Ray said: “I’m well known as Father Christmas and I love it, it’s great fun.”

Ena worked in Garrards in Newcastle Street but left when she got married. She later went to work as a care assistant at Elm Court, which used to be part of Stratton Hospital, before going to Arkells as a tea lady.

The couple have two children – two boys Philip and Paul – five grandchildren and one great grandchild and they are looking forward to seeing the family when they go for a meal to mark their anniversary tomorrow night.

Ray said: “The secret to a happy marriage is give and take and don’t give up.”