IT was John's golden tan that drew the eyes of Nottingham girl Dorothy.

The Merchant Navy galley man had just returned from a sailing to Australia – and had followed his navy pal to Nottingham.

John Wilson met his future wife in 1955. A year-and-a-half later they were married.

And this month the couple, who have 10 great-grandchildren, celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary – marking 60 years together.

Dorothy, now 83, said: “He seemed quite nice when I met him. I just thought we’d be corresponding. I never thought anything would happen.”

The Player’s Cigarettes office girl would have to wait for John to return from another sailing on the “£10 Poms” boat to Australia before they could be wed.

Married in 1957, John and Dorothy spent ten years in Nottingham before moving down to John’s hometown of Swindon.

They lived on Queen’s Drive for 43 years, bringing up their daughter and two sons. John quit the navy, eventually ending up at Pressed Steel. After taking a decade off work, Dorothy returned to office jobs – retiring from the Royal Mail’s Dorcan offices.

The couple have enjoyed travelling abroad. Dorothy’s favourite trip was a nationwide tour of North America’s national parks.

But Dorothy fears she won’t be able to get to other dream locations on her holiday list.

She said: “We always wanted to go to Hawaii. We’ve watched the films instead.”

John and Dorothy were joined by friends and family on Friday for a party to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary.

“We had a marvellous disco,” said Dorothy. “It was a really wonderful night.”

Dorothy, who is two years older than husband John, said the secret to a long and happy marriage was “compromise”.

“It’s a lot of give and take,” she smiled.