JEHOVAH’S Witnesses Freda and George Earle will be a familiar sight to homeowners around Littlemore.

The couple, who have been married 65 years today, have spent the past 50 years standing on doorsteps across the estate and surrounding areas and spreading the word about their faith.

The Christian-based religious movement is best known for its members’ door-to-door evangelistic work.

Mr Earle, 89, a former British Leyland worker, said he was sure his wife was the one for him the minute he clapped eyes on her in Watlington in 1946. He was driving with a friend when he saw Freda (nee Jelf), walking with a friend.

He said: “I’d just come out of the Army and I was driving along.

“I saw a lovely couple of people and so we stopped for a chat.

“We got on very well and soon realised we liked the same things.”

The couple, who have two children, Christine, 64, and George, 59, and three grandchildren, married at Oxford Register Office 65 years ago today.

They joined the Jehovah’s Witnesses 50 years ago.

Mrs Earle, 88, said it was their shared belief and a love of German and Austrian music which had kept them together so long.

She said: “The minute I met George I thought he was lovely.

“He was just very kind to me.”

Mr Earle added: “We’re not perfect, no-one is, but we work at it and we try and help others. The secret to our long marriage is we apply the Bible.

“It’s like having an old car. You wouldn’t throw the manual away if you wanted to look after it, would you?”