WHEN a man feared he could be posted in Germany during his required national service, he married his girlfriend on a weekend pass. And today they are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary.

Barry Hallsworth was 16 and working at a local foundry when he met his wife Shelia who was just 14 and still at school.

This was until he was called up to do his two years national service.

After fearing his regiment was due to be posted to Germany, the lovestruck couple got married on a weekend pass on December 18 1954.

"It was the weekend before Christmas and times were hard in hose days, but when Barry was demobbed we worked together to improve our lives, having good times and sad times, but always together, " Shelia said.

The husband and wife, of Offmoor Farm, Kidderminster, went on the build their family, going on to have one son, who had three of his own. They now have three great-grandchildren and will be celebrating their special day for the 60th time with them and other close members of the family for a meal in Bromsgrove.

Barry said: "We feel proud to be the first couple in both families to celebrate a diamond wedding anniversary. So much has happened in 60 years, but we have always faced everything together with love, laughter and each other."