IT ALL started with a bumper car ride and 60 years later Lillian and Bill Higgs are still very much in love.

The pair, who mark their diamond anniversary today, met at a fun fair off Essex Road in 1954 shortly after Bill had left the army.

“I spotted Lil at the fun fair and I was on the bumper cars,” 85-year-old Bill said.

“So, I asked her if she wanted to have a ride in my bumper car, and the rest is history.”

The couple took the decision to wait until Lillian, now 81, was 21-years-old before they got married.

So, on September 20, 1958 the pair got married at St Michael’s Church surrounded by all their friends and family.

Bill added: “We were courting for about four years and then we had a great day when we finally tied the knot.”

Having served in the Army as a cook, Bill came back to the UK on the Empire Windrush. Once he left the army he worked in maintenance at Park Prewett before spending a number of years at Thornycroft.

Once they were married the pair enjoyed going on coach holidays and going on family trips to Scotland.

“We went to Scotland for 11 years in a row at one point,” Lillian said.

When asked what it was she liked about the country she replied: “Everything. It is just so nice and peaceful there, and we always had a really good time there.”

When asked what they thought the key to a long marriage is, Bill said: “There is give and take, if you have any arguments just sort it out, there is no point in dwelling on it.”

The pair have two sons, Michael and Paul, as well as six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. To celebrate their anniversary, the pair will be joined by friends and family at Viables on Saturday.