A couple who split up before their wedding are celebrating 60 years of marriage.

John and Phyllis Rolls, from Orchard Way, Wantage, met in a canteen near Staines when Mrs Rolls served the brickmaker his lunch.

However, Mrs Rolls, then Frewin, called the relationship off after Mr Rolls spent too much of his spare time playing sport. Yet on Thursday, January 20, they celebrated 60 years of a happy union.

Mr Rolls, 86, whose real name is Gordon, but is known to friends and family as John, was born in Church Street, Wantage, and worked as a maintenance man at St Mary’s School for 43 years. He served in the Navy throughout the Second World War.

Mrs Rolls, 80, came from Wraysbury in Berkshire, where they married in 1951.

They now have six children, 18 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren Mrs Rolls said it was love at first sight.

She said: “We were drawn to each other so it must have been. He just smiled and when he had to come back he said goodbye and he wrote to me.

“He was always running in races and he said: ‘Would it be worth my while to run towards you instead of into Slough?’”

But the couple split before their engagement as Mr Rolls spent too many of his spare weekends away. Mrs Rolls added: “I packed him up because he thought more of his football and darts than seeing me. But we got back together after three months. And I would not have it any other way.”

She said the secret to their long and happy marriage was give and take. She said: “We looked after each other and shared the love of our children. We are so proud of them all, and would like to thank them for being so loving and caring.

“John is a very romantic person. He keeps telling me he loves me.”

The couple’s oldest child, Carol Coxhead, 59, said she was glad her parents had come to their senses and got back together after their short separation.

She said: “What is meant to be is meant to be. It is quite an achievement and it shows the bond they have together. My father writes poems to her every month to express his love.

“They have worked hard all their lives and we are very proud of them.”

The pair received a card from the Queen, congratulating them on their diamond anniversary.