It was a whirlwind relationship that saw them married within months of first meeting.

But even after 60 years of marriage Stan and Rose Szyplewski say the spark is still there.

Stan, who was born in Northern Poland, first set eyes on Rose, now 81, when they were both working in Plymouth after the war.

Stan had been serving in the artillery in Scotland but when he was demobbed he decided to find work in the building trade.

He was given the option of going back to Poland but instead decided to make a new life in Plymouth.

A friend invited him to go on a double date and he met Rose, originally from Cornwall, who was working in a restaurant.

Stan, who celebrates his 85th birthday this weekend, said: "I was introduced to Rose through a friend and I thought she is a special bit of stuff, she still is actually.

"That was in the April and we got married in the July. I knew she was the one."

With post-war rationing still a reality, the couple married in Plymouth and celebrated with some drinks in the pub that evening.

A few years later Stan was working for another building company, travelling between Bristol and Plymouth when Rose arrived for a holiday and announced she would be staying.

"I was working and could only come back to Plymouth every weekend or fortnight, Rose came to Bristol for a holiday and then said she wasn't going home," he said.

She found them a house to rent in St Werburghs and then got a job working at a clothing factory in Brislington.

Stan worked on various sites around the area including Bristol University and Hinkley Power Station.

One day when he came home from work Rose stunned him with the news she had bought the house next door. They moved within six months.

The pair later moved into their present house on Lulworth Crescent, Downend.

In 1959, the couple had a son, Martin. He worked in computer electronics but died of a brain tumour 11 years ago.

The couple enjoy their retirement socialising with friends and having visits from Stan's Polish relatives.

For their diamond wedding they received dozens of cards from well wishers including a telegram from the Queen and enjoyed a meal with their neighbours.

The couple say they have worked hard at their relationship and put their success down to socialising together and looking after each other.