IT MAY not have been love at first sight, but Sidney and Joan Horne have been married for six decades.

The couple from Springfield Drive, Abingdon, admit that despite celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary yesterday, things did not begin smoothly.

Mr Horne, 82, who was evacuated to Abingdon from Millwall, in London, two days before the outbreak of the Second World War, was stationed with the RAF in Derbyshire in 1948, when he met his future wife.

However, Mrs Horne, 79, spurned his advances and they did not get together until her sister and mother persuaded her to give him a chance.

They married after a two-year courtship and set up home in Edward Street, Abingdon.

Mr Horne worked in a variety of jobs, including as a bookmaker and a workman for the electricity board.

He became well-known in the town as a lamp-lighter, making sure streetlights were on at night and off in the day. Mr Horne was also hall keeper at Abbey Hall until he retired in 1988. Mrs Horne worked as a housekeeper.

She said: “The secret to our long marriage is give and take, although I give more than take.

“Sid is a very loving man and he has taken care of me.”

Mr Horne said: “Although she didn’t want anything to do with me at first, we’ve had a great marriage.”

The couple, who have two children, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild, are holding a family celebration at the weekend.