A THREE-TIME mayor of Wallingford celebrated an even greater achievement with her Diamond husband yesterday.

Peter and Betty Atkins, who met in 1957, have lived in the town since 1976 – and 82-year-old Betty, whose maiden name is Kerley, was mayor three times.

The great-grandparents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with family yesterday.

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Peter, 85, emphasised that he was a ‘very lucky man’ to have been married to his wife for those six decades.

He explained: “During my military service days, I was in Singapore and I got to know (Betty’s family).

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“They asked me to take parcel back and I met her in Southampton – it was just a normal thing, two people meeting, and we met more and more often.

“I am a very lucky man.”

The couple, who are both from Southampton and married in St James’ Church in Shirley, now have three children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

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Eldest daughter Lynda Atkins followed in her mother’s political mantle and remains the Oxfordshire County Councillor for Wallingford.

The 58-year-old said: “One of the things that I learnt from my parents is about working for other people and helping others.”

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The couple’s youngest daughter, Ruth Atkins, 53, was the first person in the world to be injected with one of the trial vaccines for Ebola.

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Engineer Mr Atkins, who used to do maintenance at RAF Benson, added: “The family gel is the secret, we just all get on.

“When (Betty and I) fall out, which we do sometimes, we always get back together quickly.”