A couple who found out the Second World War was over half-way through their wedding day had cause for double celebrations on May 8.

John and Joan Marshall As well as celebrating the 60th anniversary of VE Day, John and Joan Marshall toasted their diamond wedding anniversary.

Mr and Mrs Marshall were married on VE Day 60 years ago at St James Church, Somerton, near Bicester, and just minutes after they had tied the knot, Winston Churchill announced the Allies had won the war.

Mrs Marshall, of Duxford Close, Bicester, said she and her new husband had just arrived at their wedding reception in the village hall when a man ran in to say the war was over.

She said: "It came through on the radio at 3pm and someone came into the hall and told us -- everyone cheered.

"People danced around the room, everyone was happy. My dad had a barrel of beer from the local pub."

The newly-weds left at about 7pm to stay in Deddington for the night, and the following day caught a train to Scotland for their honeymoon.

Mrs Marshall, 80, said: "We went on the train to Scotland and people were celebrating all along the way -- there was balloons and decorations. Everyone was cheering and there were street parties."

The couple met at a dance in 1942 after Mr Marshall, 83, originally from Scotland, volunteered for the RAF during the war and was posted to Upper Heyford.

Mr Marshall, who was a keen sportsman in his youth and enjoyed boxing, running and football, worked at British Leyland as a foreman in the trim line, and his wife was a machinist at Morris Motors, Cowley.

Veterans across Oxfordshire marked the 60th anniversary of VE Day at the weekend.

On May 8, a commemoration was held at the Didcot War Memorial, in Britwell Road. The event, organised by the Royal British Legion, started at 10am with a two-minute silence.

Town Mayor Nick Hards laid a wreath on the memorial. A ceremony and social event was also held in Woodstock evening, following a service of thanks for 60 years of peace at the parish church.

The Waterloo Band of the Royal Green Jackets played at the event, organised by the Rotary Club of Woodstock in the sports hall at Marlborough School.

Meanwhile, villagers in Ramsden, near Witney, danced Saturday night away at a VE ball.

Events are also being organised for a national week of remembrance in July, commemorating both VE and VJ day. One of the main events will be the Festival of Flight spectacular at Blenheim Palace, in Woodstock, with music, dance and 1940s re-enactments, on August 14.