A CHANCE meeting at the pub his parents owned saw 17-year-old George Hyatt introduced to his soul mate.

And today, that couple are celebrating 60 years of happy marriage.

Betty and George, both aged 78, married on February 20, 1954.

Betty was born in Withington while George spent his early years in Newent.

It was at the Five Bridges pub – owned by George’s parents – just off the Hereford road to Worcester that they met for the first time as shy teenagers.

The couple spent several years living in Gloucestershire before returning to Herefordshire 52 years ago, settling in Marden.

George has worked as a lorry driver while Betty worked as a cleaner at a school and as an auxiliary nurse.

Parents to three girls, grandparents to six and great grandparents to 10, the couple will be celebrating their diamond anniversary with their family at the Bell Inn in Tillington.

And Betty says there is something very important for couples to remember to ensure they have a long, happy marriage.

"You have got to be honest and be able to talk and converse with one another," she said. "If you can't then it doesn't work."