IT WAS a love that stayed alive despite the miles between them.

Much of Fred and Jean Berwing’s married lives were spent miles apart as Fred travelled the seas with the Merchant Navy.

But even the distance couldn’t dampen their love and now the diamond couple are celebrating 60 years of marriage.

The pair met at a dance and married at St Mary’s Church in Sholing on a snowy February 4, 1956.

The couple moved into their first home together in Valentine Avenue, Sholing, and later moved to West End Road, Bitterne, where their daughter Alison was born.

Fred, who grew up in Dove Road, Sholing, spent 40 years with the Merchant Navy and worked his way up the ranks to become the second in chief marine engineer. He travelled the seas on ships including Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary, Mauritania, Franconia and Carmania.

After leaving the Merchant Navy, Fred became an engineer for Red Funnel where he stayed for 25 years until his retirement.

During his retirement Fred, now 85, worked as a part time driver for Picador Vauxhall for five years.

Jean, who was born in Butts Road, Sholing, began her working life at 16 as a shop assistant for Edwin Jones, now Debenhams, and then worked in the offices at Pirellis. She later got a job at Bob Sperring’s convenience store in West End Road, now the Coop, where she stayed during its changeover to Circle K and Alldays before her retirement more than 20 years ago.

When the mum-of-one, now 80, was not working she was found raising cash for Marie Curie Cancer Care by holding jumble sales, cake sales and car boot sales. Over the years she raised more than £8,000 for the cause.

The grandparents-of-one from Butts Road have also enjoyed travelling together including taking cruises around the globe and looking after their grandson Owen, 17, as he grew up. The couple are celebrating their special day with family.