BERT and Mary Earney have few regrets about defying their parents and marrying - because they've just celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

Despite the couple's parents having initial doubts, Mary married Bert in Dorset during the Second World War when she was 17 and he was 23.

Bert met Mary when he was serving in the RAF and she was working in a cheese factory. They later spent 37 years working together at the Southern Evening Echo's (now Daily Echo) Andover office in London Street.

The pair have a son, a daughter and six grandchildren. The family got together for a celebratory pub meal with a party two days later.

Among the many presents they received was a book filled with family and friends' memories, a decanter, photo frames and flowers. They also had a congratulations card from the Queen.

Mary and Bert say they still have the spark in their marriage after so many years.

Bert said: "We fell in love the first time we met each other and that is what has kept us going for so long after the exchange of vows."

"It's all about learning to work together and play together."