A COUPLE who danced the night away on their first meeting have celebrated 60 years of marriage.

Brian and Joyce Hutchins, both aged 82, met at the British Legion Hall in Middle Wallop in 1956.

Brian was serving in the Royal Air Force and was stationed in the village when he decided to explore one night - four months before the end of his time on the base.

“It was the first time that I had been to the village and I heard music going on in the hall and that is how we met,” Brian said.

Joyce said that Brian asked her to dance before expressing that he wanted to see her again, but she was about to go on holiday so the pair got in contact again upon her return.

For almost two years the couple made trips to see each other as Brian was “demobbed” in 1957 and returned to Petersfield and Joyce was living in Grateley, but the pair made the most of public transport to see each other.

And on July 26, 1958, they wed at St Mary’s Church in Andover and were celebrated in style at the railway station with a special announcement before setting off on their honeymoon in Weymouth.

After their honeymoon, the pair moved in together before setting up their current home in Lime Walk, which they have lived in for 41 years.

“In those days we spent all the money we possibly could on our house,” said Joyce.

Before they retired, Joyce worked at Timothy Whites Pharmacy and Boots the chemist, and Brian spent 11 years at metal works and engineering company Taskers and 30 years at A.M.F Legg.

Brian and Joyce have welcomed two “wonderful daughters”, Jacqui and Pauline, and two grandchildren, Poppy and Harvey.

And the pair say they still enjoy spending time together, with Joyce adding that they are best friends.

Throughout the years the couple have gone on a number of cruises and taking their 16th cruise, this time around Portugal, Spain and Italy, for their diamond wedding celebration.

They have also cruised to far-reaching destinations such as Australia, Japan, India and Vietnam.

When they are not cruising, the grandparents support trad jazz events, and have seen some of the greats perform including Chris Barber. They also enjoy gardening and walking.

The couple were members of the Andover Wine Circle and still make beer together.

Brian says their secret to their long and happy marriage is him always saying “yes dear”, adding: “We just get along and we always have done.”

To celebrate their anniversary the couple, after returning from the cruise, were joined by family for a party in their garden organised by their daughters and sons-in-law.