EUGENE and Freda Metcalf have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

The couple, from Bridle Path, in Charney Bassett, met in Abingdon in January 1947.

Mr Metcalf, 81, was due to have his first date with Mrs Metcalf, 80, in the George and Dragon, but stood her up.

Mrs Metcalf, whose maiden name was Hunt, worked in Normans, the dry cleaners in Stert Street opposite Mr Metcalf’s local pub.

After Mrs Metcalf forgave Mr Metcalf, they went on to marry at St Helen’s Church, in Abingdon, on April 16, 1949.

They have two children, Charlie, 56, and Debbie Gilligan, 53, and five grandchildren.

Mr Metcalf joked that the key to their long and prosperous marriage had been agreeing with everything his wife said – or simply answering “yes dear” to her.

Prior to their retirement, Mr Metcalf was in the Royal Marines.

He was also a painter and decorator before working at Harcross in Wantage.