WHEN pensioners Roy and Joyce Shilleto booked on to a marriage communications course in York, the last people they expected to see were their daughter and son-in-law.

But both couples had decided that a point in the right direction with their communication skills might be beneficial - without telling each other.

Joyce and Roy, of Holgate, who will celebrate their golden wedding next year, booked on to the course after hearing about it in church.

"You think that after nearly 50 years you won't need any help," said Joyce, 70. "But when they said they can help you communicate without shouting and falling out, Roy nudged me and said 'we could do with that'.

"We were a bit worried when we saw Diane and Adrian, in case we all had to share personal details about our marriage, but it was fine.

"You're never too old to learn."

Daughter Diane Church, 46, and her husband, Adrian, 48, enjoy marriage courses and were delighted to find one so close to home.

They discovered Roy and Joyce would be on the same course the day before.

"It was still a shock to see them sitting there though," said Diane. "You don't really have any contact with other couples so we didn't find out any embarrassing details.

"It's nice and intimate and you sit there and talk to each other like you often don't get chance to at home."

Roy, 73, said both couples completed and enjoyed all eight sessions.

Updated: 10:24 Tuesday, July 06, 2004