AN ALRESFORD couple have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

Peter and Ann Ward, both 85, have been married for 60 years – and the coronavirus crisis did not ruin their special day.

The planned party for March 26 was cancelled, but neighbours, from afar, raised a glass to them and paid congratulations loudly to help them celebrate.

When asked what the secret to a successful marriage is, Peter told the Chronicle: "We've always understood each other.

"Of course we argue like the rest of couples, but we don't sit on it. An old friend of mine once told me, on the night before our wedding, never to go to bed on argument.

"It's a very good motive and we've always stuck by that."

Peter and Ann, who have two daughters and four grandchildren, first met in Boscombe in 1955.

"I was in the RAF as a Snowdrop based up in Sopley," said Peter. "Our office got a call asking whether we would like to go to a party down in Boscombe – it was a party for the nurses who were leaving basic training.

"It kind of went on from there, really."

After leaving the RAF in 1958, Peter joined Hampshire Constabulary and Ann continued working as a nurse.

They have lived in Alresford for 46 years and previously lived in Ropley for eight years, Totton for four and have also lived in Ringwood.

Peter added: "We have more or less the same interests and have been all over the world together. We love travelling and did it for the best part of 25 years.

"We travelled most of Europe in a trailer caravan and only gave it up last September. The only reason we stopped is because I felt my eyesight getting worse, and I realised I'm not getting any younger."