A Wroughton couple celebrating their golden wedding anniversary have shared their tips for a long and happy marriage.

Julie and Les Lockie were married on March 22, 1969 after meeting at a dancehall.

Julie said: “We met at a club in Brentford called the Boathouse next to the Thames, where the Kew Gardens is now.

“It was a place where all the youngsters used to go – as we were then,” she laughed.

It was in 1968 that Les first caught a glimpse of his future wife across the dancefloor.

He recalled: “My friend and myself were standing there and we saw these two young ladies and we thought ‘should we ask them to dance?’”

“But I’m not a very good dancer, so we waited until the very last dance, as many people used to do. Then we asked them out that night and ended up at the bowling.”

Julie adds: “It was the Ariel Hotel, which had a big bowling alley, and believe it or not the females won!”

Les joked: “I was bragging a bit that the boys would win but they beat us hands down!”

The couple started dating and married in Nottingham the following year.

The weather wasn’t too great,” said Julie. “It was very windy and I believe it was actually snowing as well.

“But it was a lovely wedding and we had all our family and friends around us.”

They went on to have two children, Sarah and Darren, and are now proud grandparents.

Les was a carpenter and then a window-fitter and Julie a typist before working in a fashion shop before they both retired.

The couple moved to Wroughton 12 years ago after their retirement and have enjoyed many holidays, including trips to Egypt and Mexico. They are going to the Dominican Republic this year to celebrate their anniversary.

Asked what it feels like to reach 50 years of marriage, Les said: “I can’t really believe it, it has gone by so quickly. It came all of a sudden!”

Julie added: “We’ve had our ups and downs, like any couple would. But we’ve always talked to each other, if there is a problem we’ve always discussed it with one another – that’s what you have to do, just be honest.

Les agreed, saying: “Honesty is the best policy. You might have a little tiff during the day but when we go to bed we never go to sleep holding an argument.

“So when we get up it is completely forgotten about. Life is too short.”