When 18-year-old Jean first met husband-to-be Harry Rogers, 10 years her senior, her father told her the relationship would never last because of the age difference.

But the couple have celebrated 60 happy years of marriage and Jean smiled when she imagined what her father would say if he knew.

Jean, 79, and Harry, 89, met when they were working at Metal Agencies in Bristol city centre. Jean, who lived in Barton Hill, was a typist and Harry, who lived in Clifton, worked in the pricing department.

They used to go out for lunch together to the same cafe daily.

Jean said: "I think we liked having somebody to meet up and go out with. We enjoyed each other's company and still do."

They married on June 18, 1949, in St Matthew's Church, Redfield, and went on their honeymoon to Blackpool, but had to come back early because Jean got badly sunburnt after she fell asleep reading a book.

They started married life at Jean's parents' house in Hanover Street, Redfield. They later moved to Henbury, and then Maplelaze, Brislington, where they have been for 50 years.

Jean worked for various companies as a secretary, and Harry worked in the drawing office for the Bristol Aeroplane Company in Filton, Patchway and Avonmouth. They worked together again at Strachan & Henshaw before Harry retired at 62 and Jean took early retirement to keep him company.

Jean and Harry have two children, Christopher and Jane; and three grandchildren, Alexander, Lorelie and Andrew.

Jean said that the secret of their long and successful marriage was give and take.

She said: "We help each other. We have never had any arguments as such.

We have got different opinions, but we have never had a big argument.

"We give and take.

"Harry is very generous. It has been a very happy 60 years."