A MAN celebrating his 60th wedding anniversary claims to have found the controversial secret to a long and happy marriage.

Peter Howells, 83, says he always gets the last word in conversations with his wife, Margaret – but it’s not what you think.

The former lorry driver said: “I always say, with a happy marriage you’ve got to give and take on both sides. 

“I always have the last word – and that’s ‘Yes dear.’”

The couple are celebrating six decades of married life – tying the knot in Brixton Hill, London, on March 29, 1958. 

“Believe it or not we met in a Woolworth’s warehouse,” Peter said. “She was a window dresser and I was waiting to go into the army. I went into the stock room and I saw her. We met there in 1954 and we courted right through to when we were married.”

After meeting in the mid-1950s, marriage had to wait a while – as Peter was sent into the army for a stint of national service. 

He said: “I was down to go to the Far East.” However, he ended up spending his 18 months in the army on a base in Essex.

Margaret and Peter started married life in a furnished room in London.

“Then the children started coming along and I got a job that entitled us to a house in Swindon,” said Peter.

When they moved to Shaftesbury Avenue - where they still live - Eldene and Liden were yet to be built – and the Howells’ new house looked out onto farmers’ fields. 

Peter said: “When the river was very high the cattle used to come across. On one occasion, someone had left our front gate open. The wife went to go to work, opened the front door and saw a cow staring her in the face.” 

The couple received a letter from Buckingham Palace congratulating them on their long marriage.

Peter said they planned a family meal to celebrate their six decade-long relationship.