AN ANDOVER couple will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary this month.

Pauline and David Chilton were both born and bred in the town and met when David was singing at St Michael's Church along with Pete Staples, who later played in The Troggs.

Pauline, 79, and David, 82, were married at St Mary’s Church, in Church Close, in a ceremony which was overseen by two vicars as their local church was still being built.

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The couple have three sons, Mark, Gary and Phillip, along with eight grandchildren - five boys and three girls - and three great-grandchildren, an eight-year-old great-granddaughter, two great-grandsons with another grandchild on the way.

David worked for Chapel River Press and spent time as a ventriloquist while Pauline worked in catering for St John’s Hospital and together they have lived in Andover since their marriage.

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Pauline was a founding member of the original Andover Athletics Club and is a big fan of the sport, while David enjoys music including playing the piano, and in his retirement, began buying and building steam engine model kits.

Pauline said: "The last 10 years have been much the same as the previous 50, with both of us now well retired, and enjoying our retirement and time together with the family."

When asked what the secret is to a long and successful marriage, Pauline said: "It's all about taking the rough with the smooth, as there is no such thing as the perfect marriage. You've just got to be there for each other at all times and enjoy the journey. We're so fortunate to have such a lovely family and to be surrounded by love and laughter."