A YORK couple have celebrated their diamond wedding this week.

George and May Massie, of Bishopthorpe, married in Lancashire shortly after George was demobbed from the RAF.

May said: “We met at a dance six months after George had signed up, and he always kept travelling back and forth for two years after that to come and see me.

“He was stationed in Tripoli for two years, but he came back on the Thursday, and we were married on the Saturday. Everyone said I was mad, but here we are, 60 years later.”

May, 84, and George, 83, said their secret to a long and happy marriage was: “Give and take, never going to bed on an argument, and keeping a close and happy family.”

May, who used to be a weaver, also worked at Bishopthorpe Junior School and a local bakery.

George became a builder after being demobbed, and ran his own business from 1968 until he retired. The couple have three children, six grandchildren, and sadly lost one grandson at the age of 12.

They also have three great-grandchildren, and are looking forward to seeing all of them for celebrations this weekend.