Thirteen might be unlucky for some, but not for Ken and Vera Hester.

They were married on December 13, 1947, and celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary today.

Mrs Hester said: "It was a lucky day for me. We had to wait until Ken came out of the Navy after the war and we've been together ever since. It's marvellous we share the same diamond wedding year as the Queen."

The couple were both born and bred in Witney and still live in the town, in Dean Rise.

She added: "We met like most people did those years ago. We'd always sort of known each other and went around in the same group."

They were married at St Mary's Church, Cogges, and have two children, Martin and Jackie, four grandchildren and one three-year-old granddaughter.

Mr Hester worked at the Morris Motors factory at Cowley, but had to take redundancy through ill health. He had a heart bypass operation 21 years ago at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

Vera went to work when she was 14 at Witney's Compton Headdress factory, which made hats and helmets for police forces and the military. She also worked at the former Smiths blanket mill and Lukers glove factory in the town.

The couple are both dedicated bowls players, members of the Witney Town Bowls Club and Mrs Hester is also a member of Newland Methodist Church.

The couple are looking forward to a family meal on Sunday.