GIVE and take is what makes a marriage work, according to one Trowbridge couple who celebrated their diamond wedding yesterday.

Jean and Joe Margetts, of Hazel Grove, marked the occasion with a small family meal which will be followed by a party to be held tomorrow.

The couple first locked eyes 60 years ago when Mrs Margetts' father was in charge at the White Swan pub.

“My dad was the publican of the White Swan and Joe used to do shift work there and we got talking and it went from there,” the 83-year-old added.

“I remember he took me to the pictures when we first were getting to know one another.

“I wouldn’t say there is a secret to a marriage but you have ups and downs. You wouldn’t be human otherwise but it is all about give and take.”

After a whirlwind romance, the pair tied the knot on July 28, 1956 in the parish church.

Soon after that, the couple welcomed their two daughters Jane and Julie into the world.

But Mr Margetts, who worked at Avon Rubber in Melksham for 40 years, said before they had their children, they moved around the town quite a bit.

“We had two rooms in a flat in Timbrell Street and then we had a council flat in Westfield Road, eventually swapping it for a council house,” the 87-year-old said.

“We had this house in Hazel Grove built by Jean’s dad and we have lived here for 48 years.”

During building work, their family home was called the Four Js and so the couple thought it would be ironic if they named their daughters with the same initials.