It was 1943 when a dashing trumpet player first caught the eye of an 18-year-old reveller at the Clifton Victoria Rooms in Bristol.

Edna and Raymond Oaten, who now live in Lockleaze, are still celebrating that meeting 65 years later.

Edna, now 83, was a regular at dances held at the Victoria Rooms, Triangle West, where Ray, 87, played trumpet in a band. She finally got to meet him when a friend paired them up on a double date.

She said: "I'd heard of him and seen him at dances. The four of us went out to the Merchant Arms in Eastville for a drink. Me and Ray got on really well. I stuck with him ever since."

The couple got engaged at Christmas time in 1943 and were married five months later at St John's Church in Fishponds on May 13.

They first lived in Eastville with Raymond's parents when they married, before moving to Southmead, Horfield and eventually settling in Lockleaze in 1960.

Ray worked as an engineer on the milling machines for Rolls-Royce and other companies and later trained young apprentices in Filton.

Edna, who grew up in Fishponds, worked in catering but stayed at home to bring up the two children Diane, 64, and David, 62. Through Diane's marriage they were blessed with two grandchildren; Richard 43 and Stephen, 42. They also have five great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter, Michelle, who is 16 months old. The couple say the secret to their long marriage is respecting each other's differences.

Edna said: "We're both different, Ray likes reading and music. He likes to be in the garden, tending to plants in his greenhouse. He has a workshop as well, and does a bit of engineering in his spare time.

"I like knitting and making jumpers. You've got to do your own thing and not interfere."

The couple are jetting off to Benidorm to celebrate their anniversary, but will celebrate with a meal with family members before they go.

They are also tying in celebrations for Edna's brother Roy's 80th birthday in June.