A FORMER Southampton police officer and his wife celebrated their 60 years of wedded bliss on Thursday.

David and Audrey Easson first met when they locked eyes on the old floating bridge between Woolston and St Mary’s.

David, who was 20 at the time and had just returned from national service as an army police officer, was heading to work while Audrey was 17 and worked with his cousin in a clothes shop.

They never said a word to each other on that trip but, knowing that they’d seen each other on the ferry, his cousin arranged for them to meet again the next night at the Guildhall.

They danced the night away and five years later the couple were tying the knot at St Matthew’s Church in Trinity Road.

After getting married they lived in Northbrook Road went on to have three children – Diane, Debbie and Graham – four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

When asked what the secret to a long, happy marriage is, David, 84, joked: “Give and take. I give everything and Audrey takes it!”

He added: “We’ve never had a cross word in our 60 years.”

Audrey, who was born in Nichols Road, St Mary’s, said: “He’s my best friend. I can talk to him about anything.”

David continued working for the police, based in Southampton, for the next 20 years, retiring in 1976 while Audrey, now 81, helped to raise their family before working in catering.

They celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary with a meal at the old floating bridge restaurant, known as the Ferry Restaurant, in Old Bursledon last weekend with their family.