AFTER 60 years of marriage life is still going swimmingly for a couple who opened a tropical fish shop in Devizes in 1978 and still work in the business.

Don and Mary Cockram, of Estcourt Crescent, Devizes, were married at The Church of the Immaculate Conception, Devizes, on July 20, 1956 after both growing up in the town.

In 1979 they opened Old Forge Tropicals, which is still very much a family business.

Mr Cockram, 84, and his wife, 83, met properly when they were in the Scouts and Guides but already knew each other a little as their mothers were friends.

The couple had links from an early age as Mr Cockram’s father was a carpenter at Roundway Hospital and Mrs Cockram’s father was a hospital fireman and fitter and her mum a nurse at the hospital.

Mr Cockram grew up in Bricksteed Avenue and Mrs Cockram lived at Fitters House on the hospital site. Mr Cockram worked originally as an electrician with Clark’s of Devizes and later with Rendell.

Mrs Cockram started her working life as a secretary in solicitors Delme Radcliff in the Market Place, leaving to have a family. She later became a school dinner lady at Southbroom Infants.

The couple have a daughter Jayne and son Paul, two granddaughters Abbie and Alice and two great grandchildren, Joseph and Iris.

Daughter Jayne said: “In 1978 we opened our family tropical fish shop Old Forge Tropicals in Estcourt Street which mum then worked in with help from the rest of us. Both still help out there with dad going in daily and mum helping out at weekends.”

The couple both enjoy gardening and are members of the Wiltshire Family History Society.

Mr Cockram is a former town councillor and both still take a keen interest in local affairs.

The family will celebrate the diamond wedding with a family meal out.