IN more than 60 years, Geoff and Margaret Belcher have only spent three weeks apart.

The couple, above, who first met while working at the former MG car factory in Abingdon, have seen each other every day for 64 years apart from when Mr Belcher, 84, was away training as an Army reservist.

On March 11, the great-grandparents celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary, following a surprise family party the Saturday before to mark their 60th anniversary.

Mr Belcher was born and raised in Abingdon and met his future wife while they were clocking in at work in 1946.

They married on March 11, 1950, in St Helen’s Church, right. Mr Belcher, a former boxer, managed to pay for his wife’s engagement ring with money he won in the boxing ring.

They lived at Fieldside, before moving to Larkhill Road, where they lived for 44 years. They moved to Warwickshire six years ago to live near their daughter, Marie Woodward.

Mrs Belcher, 78, was born in Kent and moved to Harwell when her father was posted there by the Army, and then to Abingdon. She worked at Miele’s office in the town as a receptionist for 15 years.

Mr Belcher played football for Abingdon Town and Esso, cricket and table tennis for MG, darts for many pubs in Abingdon and he was also a Royal British Legion member.

He said: “The secret of our marriage is simple. We still love each other very much.”

Mrs Belcher added: “Our surprise party was lovely and we were taken aback.”

The couple have five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.