A DIAMOND couple are today celebrating a milestone anniversary after 60 years of marriage.

Jeff and June Wilkinson first set eyes on each other in 1951 when the pair met through the light operatic society in Slaithwaite, near Huddersfield.

“I walked into the church and heard June singing and I liked what I saw, and the rest is as you say is history,” Jeff tells The Gazette.

Engaged two years later, the pair got married at the Slaithwaite Parish Church on August 25, 1956.

The pair grew close sharing their love of amateur dramatics, and still to this day Jeff preforms as part of the Basingstoke Male Voice Choir.

After completing national service, Jeff joined the Huddersfield Borough Police force where he would work long hours and at times would not even be able to tell June when he would be returning.

Jeff added: “It was difficult for June but she was very trusting and like all marriages there are ups and downs but I believe we are stronger for it.

“I remember there were times when June would be walking down the street and people would say ‘shut up here comes the copper’s wife’ but she just got on with things.”

The couple, who went on to have four children, moved to Hampshire in 1965 when Jeff was transferred to Hampshire Constabulary and then moved to Basingstoke in 1969.

After moving around the county the pair finally settled in their home in Water End Park, Old Basing.

The pair even worked together for a little while, which June said strengthened their relationship.

She jokes: “He always says our marriage has been like serving three life sentences, but in reality we’ve had some great times together.”

To celebrate this incredible milestone, the pair travelled to Iceland earlier in the year to see the Northern Lights.

“We knew we wouldn’t see them in August so we thought we would go earlier in the year,” added June.

“It was something we have both always wanted to do and it was an incredible experience, we even went whale watching, but I’m not sure if we actually saw any.”

Today on the couple’s anniversary, they will be joined by 32 of their nearest and dearest on the John Pinkerton canal cruise along Basingstoke canal.